Create a culture of entrepreneurship to ensure jobs: Expert

Manama : Bahrain needs to create a culture of entrepreneurship to ensure jobs for new generations, said Dr. Odeh Al-Jayyousi, Head of the Department of Technology and Innovation at Arabian Gulf University (AGU). 

Al-Jayyousi was speaking at a function organised by the university to observe ‘Entrepreneurship Day’ on Monday. 

Al-Jayyousi  said that an entrepreneurship culture was needed for the newer generations to be successful.

According to him, Arab youth need to be instilled entrepreneurship qualities at an early age, especially the quality of being able to take calculated risks and embracing uncertainty. 

“A large section of the youth are still dependent on getting employed, either in the public sector or in the private sector. They need to let go of this limiting mindset and start looking at entrepreneurship options. They need to understand the art of taking risks and achieving success,” he said.

“We need to cultivate this culture of entrepreneurship by helping them think out of the box. By encouraging to dream and help them to achieve their dreams,” he added.

On universities playing a big role, he said, “Universities are places where they can learn these qualities. This will require universities to change the way they educate. 

“A more practical approach is needed, with summer camps, projects and competition training them for the real world,” Al-Jayyousi said.

Governments in the region should make it a priority to encourage entrepreneurship because in the long-term more jobs will need to be created by the private sector, Al-Jayyousi said, adding a strong ecosystem is needed to help start-ups flourish, this is the move towards sustainable development. 

Officials from United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)and AGU spoke about the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship to the national economy, at the programme.  

President of AGU, Khalid bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali said that innovation is the driving force of developed countries and that emerging countries should take lessons from it.