Developing innovation and entrepreneurship skills in Engineering students: Simulation games in the Desert

Entrepreneurship abilities spur innovation, which is a necessary requirement for engineers and technology professionals. Engineering education institutions are developing new models of curriculum design to provide a more holistic learning experience which is a combination of technical knowledge and business acumen. Technical leaders need to be able to demonstrate entrepreneurial abilities to be able to assume leadership position in corporations. Besides, there is a dire need for engineers to respond to the demands of the current labor market with dearth of jobs. The aim of the educational institutions should be on creating environments that foster the development of learning; leadership skills and the development enterprising attitudes. Entrepreneurship and innovation are interchangeable and academics have to embrace both in their classrooms. Students have to develop tact and explicit knowledge to understand the concepts of dynamic and changing business environment. Simulation games provide an effective method for student enhancement, learning of technology in addition to entrepreneurial leadership, innovation skills and development of logical skills. Faculty and participants evaluate business simulation games differently. Qualitative research has been used for the purpose of this study to identify student perceptions on variables such as observation of the simulation game, degree of engagement, cognitive learning from participation, social learning from participation and total satisfaction after playing the game. Faculty perspectives also discusses the above parameters.