The contribution to regional economic development and the cooperation with enterprises has been formulated as a priority within the missions and development strategies of all of the 12 Central American universities involved in the project. However, the relevant institutional legislation that would regulate the practical implementation of cooperation with enterprises is rather exception than a rule. Active cooperation with enterprises and local chambers of commerce occurs mostly on occasional basis or does not go beyond basic formal contacts for students’ placements.
While increasing efforts to institutionalize entrepreneurship have been developed in the last few years, Central American HEIs still face a challenge of developing solid strategic and practical foundations for the coherent implementation of the concept of entrepreneurial universities as well as opportunities for learning and exchanging best practices in a regional or international context.
In this sense, BUILD aims to strength and create new opportunities for the development of a strong culture of university-industry collaboration and partnerships with enterprises in the Central American region. One of the most important results will be the creation/improvement of the Entrepreneurship Centres; the implementation of training activities with multiplier effects; implementation of dissemination and capital matchmaking events, workshops and business plan challenges; the development of legislation to regulate interactions with the industry in the 12 Central American partner institutions; and the establishment of a Network that will address the needs for Central American HEIS for an increased regional and international cooperation both within the academic world and with external stakeholders and support the generation of ideas and programs to promote entrepreneurship in a regional context.
