ENG1812 · Leadership and entrepreneurship

Overview

In this unit, you will gain foundational leadership skills and develop an entrepreneurial mindset crucial for thriving in today’s fast-evolving global landscape. Designed to simulate the incubation of innovative ideas, this unit prepares you to scale these innovations within organisations or launch them as start-ups. Through real-world application, hands-on experience, and direct stakeholder engagement, you will work in teams to refine your skills while reflecting on your growth throughout the process. As a future leader, adaptability is key. You will be required to shift seamlessly between technical, managerial, and leadership roles across diverse settings - whether in start-ups, small enterprises, or large organisations. Moreover, you will learn to navigate industries being reshaped by globalisation, technological advancements, and the growing demand for sustainable solutions. This unit emphasises leadership development, with a focus on understanding and applying various leadership styles to achieve organisational goals. Effective communication, both written and verbal, is also integral to success, ensuring you can align stakeholders around shared objectives. Entrepreneurship, a driving force for innovation and economic growth, can be pursued by launching new ventures or innovating within existing enterprises. As a leader, you will not only solve technical challenges but also anticipate market trends, economic constraints, and societal needs. Cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset—rooted in curiosity, creativity, and value creation—will empower you to identify and capitalise on new opportunities. Throughout the unit, you will conceptualise innovative business ideas, develop strategic business plans, and explore various funding sources. Additionally, you will refine your ability to pitch these ideas to potential investors and secure the necessary financial backing to bring them to life.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Continuous assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Discern the business potential of innovations using the problem-solving competencies of creativity and business acumen.
2. Apply team management and conflict resolution techniques in the process of engineering development.
3. Describe the needs and expectations of stakeholders in written and oral form. The communication competencies that you will refine are active and convincing presentations.
4. Identify new business opportunities, propose strategic business plans and identify financing sources, from private to public investors. The entrepreneurship competencies that you will acquire are strategic planning and financial management.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 5 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.