Editors

Giuseppe Umberto Cantafio, University of Sunderland in London, United Kingdom Afzal Sayed Munna, University of Sunderland in London, United Kingdom

Proposals Submission Deadline: September 24, 2023 Full Chapters Due: January 7, 2024 Submission Date: January 7, 2024Call for Chapters

This book will explore on the role of innovation centres (ICs) within universities that can play a critical role in fostering entrepreneurial skills among students while simultaneously enhancing the overall image and impact of the university. These centres serve as hubs for creativity, collaboration, and ideation, providing various opportunities under several dimensions. Firstly, innovation centres enable students to improve their entrepreneurial skills. These centres often offer workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs designed to educate and empower students in the realm of entrepreneurship. Through these initiatives, students gain valuable insights into business strategy, marketing, finance, and other essential aspects of starting and running a successful venture. By acquiring such skills, students are better equipped to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavours in the future. Secondly, these innovation centres contribute to improving the outlook of the university. By providing a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs, universities can attract and retain ambitious individuals who seek to turn their innovative ideas into reality. This fosters a culture of creative thinking and problem-solving within the university, enhancing its reputation as a progressive and dynamic institution. As a result, the university becomes more attractive to prospective students, faculty, and external collaborators, leading to increased enrolment, funding opportunities, and partnerships. Moreover, ICs within universities are not limited to supporting purely entrepreneurial start-ups. They also provide a platform for social innovation ventures, which aim to address societal problems present in contemporary urban s. These ventures focus on creating innovative solutions to challenges related to sustainability, healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and other pressing issues faced by urban communities. By supporting and nurturing such initiatives, innovation centres encourage students to use their skills and knowledge for the greater social good, thus contributing to the overall betterment of society. Additionally, ICs can promote cross-disciplinary collaboration and engagement. They bring together students from various fields such as engineering, business, design, social sciences, and the arts, fostering a diverse and inclusive ecosystem. This interdisciplinary approach leads to the exchange of ideas, cross-pollination of knowledge, and the creation of innovative solutions that can tackle complex problems effectively. By breaking down academic silos, these centres create an environment where students can learn from each other, collaborate on projects, and leverage diverse perspectives to drive meaningful innovation. In conclusion, ICs inside universities play a crucial role in enabling students to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, while simultaneously elevating the overall outlook of the institution. These facilities not only support entrepreneurial start-ups but also empower students to engage in social innovation ventures that aim to address contemporary urban challenges. By providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and problem-solving, ICs foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within universities, ultimately contributing to the advancement of society as a whole.Introduction

Promote Innovation in Higher Education: The primary objective of "Igniting Innovation" is to advocate for and promote the establishment of innovation centres within universities. These centres will serve as incubators for creativity, entrepreneurship, and cutting-edge research, fostering a culture of innovation in higher education. Empower Students: The book aims to empower students by showcasing the transformative power of innovation centres. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, and exposure to real-world challenges, students gain the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to become creative thinkers and future leaders. Cultivate Entrepreneurial Mindsets: By exploring successful student entrepreneurs who have benefited from innovation centres, the book seeks to inspire and cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets among students, encouraging them to take initiative, identify opportunities, and pursue innovative solutions. Foster Industry-Academia Collaboration: The book emphasises the importance of strong ties between universities and industries. By highlighting the role of innovation centres in facilitating collaboration, it aims to encourage universities and industries to work together in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges. Enhance Teaching and Learning: "Igniting Innovation" explores how innovation centres leverage technology and novel teaching methods to enhance the learning experience. The book aims to encourage educators to adopt innovative teaching practices and foster an environment of continuous learning.Objective

University Administrators and Leaders: University presidents, provosts, deans, and other administrators seeking to understand the benefits of establishing innovation centres and how they can elevate their institutions through transformative educational initiatives. Educators and Faculty Members: Professors and instructors interested in incorporating innovative teaching methods and fostering a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship within their academic departments. Students and Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Current university students and recent graduates looking for guidance on how innovation centres can empower them to develop their entrepreneurial skills and turn their ideas into successful ventures. Policy Makers and Government Officials: Individuals responsible for shaping higher education policies, funding, and support, who can benefit from insights into the impact of innovation centres on student success and regional economic growth. Industry Leaders and Employers: Business executives and industry professionals interested in understanding how collaboration with innovation centres can provide access to top talent, foster innovation, and address industry-specific challenges. Investors and Venture Capitalists: Individuals and organizations looking to invest in innovative start-ups and projects that emerge from collaboration with innovation centres. Educational Consultants and Advisors: Professionals providing guidance and expertise to universities seeking to develop and implement innovation-driven educational strategies.Target Audience

The Imperative for Innovation: Challenges Facing Modern Universities The Evolution of Innovation Centers: A Historical Perspective Designing the Future: Establishing an Innovation Center Cultivating a Culture of Creativity: Fostering Innovation Mindsets Empowering Student Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Execution Industry-Academia Collaboration: Bridging the Gap for Innovation Technological Advancements in Education: Revolutionizing Learning Intrapreneurship: Fostering Innovation within Universities Global Impact: Innovation Centers and Social Change The Power of Social Innovation Overcoming Obstacles: Challenges and Solutions in Running an Innovation Center The Future of Innovation Centers: A Vision for Tomorrow Igniting the World: A Call to ActionRecommended Topics

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before September 24, 2023, a chapter proposal of 1,000 to 2,000 words clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors will be notified by October 8, 2023 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines.Full chapters are expected to be submitted by January 7, 2024, and all interested authors must consult the guidelines for manuscript submissions at https://www.igi-global.com/publish/contributor-resources/before-you-write/ prior to submission. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for manuscripts submitted to this book publication, Empowering Students and Elevating Universities With Innovation Centers. All manuscripts are accepted based on a double-blind peer review editorial process.

All proposals should be submitted through the eEditorial Discovery® online submission manager.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), an international academic publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference), "Medical Information Science Reference," "Business Science Reference," and "Engineering Science Reference" imprints. IGI Global specializes in publishing reference books, scholarly journals, and electronic databases featuring academic research on a variety of innovative topic areas including, but not limited to, education, social science, medicine and healthcare, business and management, information science and technology, engineering, public administration, library and information science, media and communication studies, and environmental science. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2024.

Important Dates

September 24, 2023: Proposal Submission Deadline October 8, 2023: Notification of Acceptance January 7, 2024: Full Chapter Submission March 10, 2024: Review Results Returned April 21, 2024: Final Acceptance Notification May 5, 2024: Final Chapter Submission

Inquiries

Giuseppe Umberto Cantafio University of Sunderland in London [email protected] Afzal Sayed Munna University of Sunderland in London [email protected]