Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): At Ghent University, 1,879 students work (5% of the total), down from 7% a decade ago. Gerlinde Van Hauwermeiren notes a rise in student entrepreneurs from 37 to 127.
At Ghent University, 1,879 students work there. Most of these students are young and they manage to study while working at least 80 hours each month. This group makes up about 5 percent of all the students at the university. The number of working students at Ghent University has gone down by 2 percent in the last ten years. A decade ago, 7 percent of students had jobs while studying, but now it’s only 5 percent. The way students work while studying has changed over the years.
How is Ghent University supporting the surge of student entrepreneurs?
Over the last ten years, there has been a big rise in student entrepreneurs. Thirteen years ago, when the program started, only 37 students signed up, but now that number has jumped to 127, which is more than three times the original amount. It has been said that the program has encouraged more students to start their own businesses while studying. The fact that the number of student entrepreneurs has doubled in this time means that the support and resources provided are really helping. Schools also play an important role by teaching students valuable business skills, leading to a new generation of motivated young entrepreneurs ready to chase their dreams.
Student entrepreneurs are individuals who run their own businesses and enjoy more flexibility in their schedules. They can easily change their classes or exam times if they have important meetings. Gerlinde Van Hauwermeiren from Gentrepreneur explains that this trend isn’t surprising because today’s students are more willing to take charge and prefer working on their own ideas instead of following an employer’s rules. Many of these student businesses are successful, with about half continuing after graduation. In Ghent, schools have joined forces to support these young entrepreneurs by creating a center where they can get coaching, courses, and networking opportunities to help them succeed.
