PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

EDGE	DVD Clips
Intro	(6:01)
At Work	(2:37)
Awards	(6:16)
Companies	(5:05)
Feedback	(3:52)
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Encouraging Dynamic Global Entrepreneurs (EDGE) Scotland is a summer program in entrepreneurship and enterprise leadership offered by Columbia University’s Center for Career Education in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and the University of Glasgow, with support from the European Union, the Scottish Executive, and others. EDGE Scotland is a unique experiential education program in consulting which takes place in Dunbartonshire, an economically underdeveloped area of Scotland. The program is run under the auspices of the Scottish

Enterprise, a government agency that assists small and medium enterprises (SME’s) with economic development initiatives.

The Dunbartonshire economy is currently in transition, as it moves from a a heavy industry and manufacturing based economy to a service-led economy. The EDGE Scotland program aims to facilitate short term and long-term community and economic development through a collaborative process. Working closely with Scottish Enterprise mentors and business advisors, students partner with business leaders to address current and future problems affecting SME’s. Student consulting teams are challenged to solve real-world business problems by analyzing business climate, identifying opportunities for innovation, and proposing solutions and initiatives to create a more entrepreneurial and economically vibrant culture.

The EDGE Scotland program brings together students from Columbia University, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, Simon Fraser University, University of Waterloo and Warsaw University to work together fostering international understanding, community and economic development in Scotland.

EDGE Scotland is an eight week summer program. For Summer 2008, the program will run from June 16th 2008 through August 8th 2008.

Program Content

Pre-departure training (Located at Columbia University Center for Career Education): Students selected for the EDGE program participate in a one-day pre-departure training program consisting of the following activities:

• Overview of the consulting industry, best practices, problem solving, project planning, client interaction, team effectiveness, document writing, effective charts, research methods and sources, excel tips, case studies and general advice
• Panel speakers discussing entrepreneurship and being a young professional
• Cross-cultural training provided by the Office of Global Programs
• Logistical overview of program including tip sheets, reading lists and on-site program contacts

In-Country Eight Week Program

• Two week Immersion Program learning about entrepreneurship, enterprise leadership, cross-cultural teamwork, consulting and economic development. Faculty for the immersion program includes Business school faculty from participating Scottish universities, identified by Scottish Enterprise, and selected industry experts.)
• Six weeks in mixed teams, supported by industry experts, working on consultancy projects for small and medium-sized enterprises, to help them implement strategies and plans for growth and development projects including four learning reviews (designed to review project progress and hear from additional panel speakers) and mock presentations to practice communication, presentation skills and content review before final client meetings (Students are supported during this phase by business advisors. Local businesses provide the EDGE student teams with “home space”: a work area which they can use consistently through the six weeks of the project based work.)
• A full range of cultural activities, designed to “Discover what Scotland has to offer,” including outdoor activities, guest speaker events, and an end of program Awards Ceremony, (events include a tour of Scottish Parliament and of Edinburgh Castle, an evening reception and tour of Glasgow’s City Chambers, a trip to the Highland Games at Balloch, and a traditional Ceilidgh celebration).

Additional Program Features

• Student flights to Glasgow (case-by-case basis based on Financial Support Application)
• Pre-departure training and meals
• ₤150 per week stipend for students
• Housing for eight weeks in university residences (Students are required to stay in provided housing)
• Meals during Immersion Program
• Unlimited transportation cards