Boosting students' business acumen

Imperial College aims to boost students' business acumen through an Entrepreneurship Centre, launched this week.

The centre will encourage the teaching of entrepreneurial skills in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It will also act as a testing-ground for start-ups, allowing students to try out ideas and set up businesses.

Sue Birley, head of the centre, said: "Our motto is that one day, you will need more than a degree."

To mark the launch, the centre held an Ideas Challenge with 20 prizes of £1,000. Among the winning ideas were instant coffee in a tablet that needs no kettle and a volcano-monitoring device.

Details: www-ec.ms.ic.ac.uk/challenge