The PIPE® model and tools for teaching innovation and entrepreneurship in Chinese Universities

There are quite a few questions related to entrepreneurship education (EE). For example, why do we teach entrepreneurship? What should we teach? How should we teach, and how should we assess the learning? Previous studies have addressed the question of why, but in this study the aim is to address the questions of what and how. This paper reports a Problem-Idea-Product-Enterprise (PIPE®) model that aims to motivate and inspire students to actively learn along the multi-disciplinary process from discovering problems and generating new ideas to proposing new products and planning new enterprises. Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship are interrelated during the entrepreneurship process, but research and education of the three generally occur in parallel, with little interaction. The PIPE model provides a systematic vehicle for students to go through the multi-disciplinary process of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship learning. The PIPE model is consistent with the outcome-based syllabus, as it covers learning objectives (problem, idea, product and enterprise plan), teaching and learning activities (use eyes to observe, use brain to think, use hands to make and move feet to search), capacities to nurture (discovery, creative thinking, innovation and planning) and assessment criteria (desirability, originality, feasibility and viability) at each step. The model supports problem-driven, team-based, project-based, student-centred and experiential learning (learning by doing). Culture has been identified by scholars as a major factor influencing innovation. The PIPE model has been enriched by considering Chinese culture along the process of teaching and learning entrepreneurship. The model has been implemented in regular courses over the past 10 years, and in a recently launched MOOC course. It has also been shared in over 100 seminars and workshops in Chinese and other Asian universities. The PIPE model and the MOOC course triggered many interesting discussions on cultures and innovation capabilities. The PIPE model can easily be adopted and implemented by any university.