The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED) has been awarded the top honour in education at the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s (ISBE) international conference, held this year in Sheffield.
Recognised for their ground-breaking work in entrepreneurial education, UWTSD-IICED’s team was presented with the award in the historic setting of Sheffield Cathedral, highlighting their contributions to transforming education in Wales and beyond.
UWTSD-IICED’s work aligns closely with the “Enterprising Creative Contributors” goal outlined in the Curriculum for Wales. Tasked by the Welsh Government to develop national guidelines, UWTSD-IICED created multiple teacher development programmes through partnerships with Careers Wales and the National Academy for Educational Leadership (NAEL).
These programmes, led by Professor Emeritus Andy Penaluna, have empowered teachers across Wales to integrate entrepreneurial learning into their classrooms and develop innovative approaches to engage students in creative thinking and enterprise.
Professor Andy Penaluna said:
“Developing new training programmes is only part of the process; it takes real commitment to listen to feedback from qualified teachers and refine our approach based on their insights. UWTSD has always excelled at connecting with the needs of educators, and it has been invaluable to hear directly from those who are leading creativity and innovation across Welsh schools.”
Dr Felicity Healey-Benson, co-lead of regional interventions for NAEL, spoke about the impact of the programmes:
She said:
“Our research captures the voices of teachers bringing the Curriculum for Wales’s Four Purposes to life, particularly as ‘Creative Enterprising Contributors.’ Through phases of workshops, resource development, and in-depth pilots in Carmarthenshire, we have witnessed Welsh educators’ dedication to translating policy into meaningful practice. This collaborative work has not only sparked innovative approaches in entrepreneurial learning but has shown us how to further support this transformation.”
The UWTSD-IICED report, An Entrepreneurial Education Pipeline: Lessons from School Teacher Training in Wales, won ISBE’s education category award, underscoring the global relevance of entrepreneurial education in schools.
Runner-up Dr Trudie Murray from Munster Technology University in Ireland, whose research is also focused on entrepreneurial education, praised UWTSD’s achievements:
She said:
“Seeing Wales’ impact celebrated at this level is inspiring. The work done by Professor Penaluna and his team provides valuable lessons in advancing entrepreneurial education across all stages, a message that resonates strongly here in Ireland.”
Professor Norris Krueger, a leading global expert in entrepreneurial education, also commended UWTSD-IICED:
He said:
“Creating a comprehensive entrepreneurship education system requires both vision and heart, which Professor Penaluna and his team bring to the table. Their work in Wales is now a model for entrepreneurial learning around the world.”
Building on its success, UWTSD-IICED has recently completed work with UNESCO, supporting entrepreneurial university leadership across South America and the Caribbean. Discussions are also underway with the OECD to expand these efforts globally, further solidifying UWTSD’s role as an international leader in entrepreneurial education.
Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, shared her congratulations:
“Careers Wales was delighted to work with Professor Andy Penaluna on some professional learning and resource developments for schools. We were very pleased with the outcomes and the positive feedback from teachers. We congratulate Professor Andy Penaluna and contributors on their ISBE best paper award.”
