The Section for Entrepreneurship

In 1979, South African Breweries made a donation to the Graduate School of Management to support research in Entrepreneurship. It was followed up with annual donations until 1984. A Chair in Entrepreneurship was established in 1984 by the University of Pretoria to be occupied by a senior lecturer. The occupant of the chair was, however, a professor and the difference in salary was paid from the interest received from the donation made by SA Breweries. The first occupant was Prof Chris Pottas. The Chair primarily focused on research in Entrepreneurship, since the knowledge base of Entrepreneurship at the time was extremely limited. From an academic and scientific point of view, the research was fruitful and successful. Research regarding the characteristics of an entrepreneur and the requirements for entrepreneurial potential were the primary focus.

In 1999, the Chair and its activities were transferred to the Department of Business Management. In January 2001, a totally new approach was introduced to revitalize the Chair and to fulfill current needs in the country. Prof G H Nieman was given the responsibility by Prof S Vil-Nkomo, then Dean of the Faculty, to co-ordinate the activities of the Chair as from this date.

In January 2003 the responsibility to build the Chair in Entrepreneurship was given to Professor Jurie van Vuuren. He developed the Chair to be the strongest pocket of excellence in South Africa, with nine faculty members with PhD’s in Entrepreneurship, three formal academic programmes, fifteen different short courses and a consultation arm as well. The capacity to execute this project most definitely is present in the section for Entrepreneurship which has a national footprint with its associates and other universities.

Professor van Vuuuren, as specialist in Entrepreneurship education and consultation, previously consulted the Canterbury Christ Church University, England, as well as the Brabant Center for Entrepreneurship, Technical University of Eindhoven, Holland on the feasibility of centers of entrepreneurship with great success. He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Fort Hare’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

View video: Ecosystem | Entrepreneurship Development Model - Microsoft VirtualAcademy

Department of Business Management

Prof Jurie van Vuuren
Tel: 012 420 3401
Email: [email protected]