The importance of passionpreneurship in higher education

Fostering passionpreneurship within academia is not about rejecting traditional learning. Instead, it enhances it by allowing students to explore unconventional paths that resonate with their passions
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A common problem faced by youngsters today is the difficulty of getting a job in their domain of knowledge. The reason for this is not that there are not enough jobs in the market but the difficulty of finding a candidate who fulfils the needs of the job profile. This situation is primarily because of the lack of passion among youngsters. While passion is an important driver for success, it has never been a measured metric in our academic evaluation structures. The syllabus in our universities is mainly prepared by teachers based on convenience and workload. As a result, students are forced to learn what they don’t wish to learn, and so do not acquire or focus on skills needed for a job profile in their knowledge domain. This is affecting the academic and industry ecosystem, and necessitates fixing yardsticks to measure and promote passion during academic life.

Passionpreneurship combines “passion” with “entrepreneurship,” reflecting a pursuit of careers driven by personal values and interests rather than just market opportunities. Unlike traditional entrepreneurship, which focuses on profit, passionpreneurship stems from an innate desire to work in fields that excite and fulfill individuals. This mindset can redefine academic success, encouraging students to harness their unique talents and align them with societal needs. Incorporating passionpreneurship into academic structures aligns well with the principles of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), which promotes self-directed learning and problem-solving skills tailored to diverse career paths. The rise of social media and digital platforms has further facilitated this approach, making it easier for students to transform their hobbies into viable careers through digital tools and global connections.

Custom-made syllabi

Fostering passionpreneurship within academia is not about rejecting traditional learning. Instead, it enhances it by allowing students to explore unconventional paths that resonate with their passions. Soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, and emotional intelligence are vital in this approach. Educators are now developing personalised learning plans, enabling students to tailor course content to match their entrepreneurial goals. A custom-made syllabus can encourage passionpreneurship in several ways:

Enhanced engagement: When students help shape their syllabus, they can include topics related to their interests, leading to increased engagement and deeper investment in their passions.

Cross-disciplinary knowledge: Custom syllabus allow students to incorporate diverse subjects, supporting interdisciplinary learning. For example, a student interested in health technology might integrate Biology, Software Development, and Business Studies to create a niche in health tech.

Syllabus customisation: Tailoring the syllabus enables students to focus on the skills they need for their entrepreneurial goals, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

Problem-solving focus: By designing curricula around real-world problems, students develop a problem-solving mindset. Students interested in sustainability, for instance, could focus on Environmental Studies and green innovation, equipping themselves to launch eco-conscious ventures.

Mentorship and networking: A custom syllabus allows students to connect with mentors and professionals aligned with their passions, providing essential insights and industry connections.

Creative exploration: Custom syllabi encourage students to explore unconventional or emerging topics, fostering creativity and innovation. This mindset helps students generate unique entrepreneurial ideas.

Tailored assessments: Personalised assessments such as portfolios or business models reflect students’ entrepreneurial goals, offering a platform to showcase their skills and build confidence in their ventures.

Thus a custom-made syllabus gives students control over their educational journey and provides a structured way to pursue, experiment with, and refine their passions into viable, fulfilling careers. As passionpreneurship continues to gain traction, the role of academic institutions will evolve. Universities and colleges that succeed in the future will embrace this shift, providing students with the tools and opportunities required to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact. Academic success will no longer be measured solely by degrees or exam results but by the ability of institutions to cultivate innovative thinkers and socially conscious entrepreneurs.

As more institutions adopt this mindset, we can expect to see a generation of students who are not only well-educated but also deeply engaged with their passions, ready to innovate and make meaningful contributions to society. The fusion of passion and entrepreneurship is the key to unlocking students’ potential and reshaping the future of education.

Hemalatha M. is an Assistant Professor at the School of Commerce and Management, Garden City University, Bengaluru, and Biju Dharmapalan is the Dean-Academic affairs, Garden City University, and adjunct faculty at NIAS, Bengaluru.