Entrepreneurship and Innovation in CUAS Business Curriculum

The School of Management at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) has consistently emphasized innovation and entrepreneurship within its business programs, equipping students with essential skills to succeed in dynamic and highly competitive markets. Offering 8 bachelor’s and 4 master’s degrees, the school embeds innovative learning components across both undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.

Our core business courses challenge students to think beyond traditional approaches by immersing them in experiential learning activities, including practical projects, case analyses, and start-up simulations. This practice-oriented framework focuses on developing real-world competencies, preparing graduates to assume leadership positions with an initiative-driven, problem-solving attitude.

“Innovation and entrepreneurship education in our curricula is dedicated to developing core competencies related to generating and designing ideas for new business opportunities and to putting such ideas into practice. With the promotion of an entrepreneurial mindset among our students and graduates, our institution is dedicated to shaping responsible future leaders who create impact in and for our region. Our established cooperation with the European Innovation Academy (EIA), which is supported by a grant from the state of Carinthia (Land Kärnten), enables us to enrich our innovation and entrepreneurial education and shift it to a global level, thus raising awareness among national and international players towards the role of Carinthia as an important educational and innovation hub.” Dr. Thomas Fenzl, Dean, School of Management, CUAS.  

At the bachelor’s level, CUAS offers the innovative “Innovation, Change & Entrepreneurial Action” specialization in the fifth semester of the Intercultural Management Program, a blended program led by Professor Eithne Knappitsch and Dr. Anna Zinenko. This award-winning course (Austrian State Prize of Teaching Excellence Ars Docendi) emphasizes entrepreneurial thinking and adaptability, equipping students with the skills to navigate and drive change within complex business landscapes.  

"Entrepreneurship is so important in higher education because it trains students to identify real problems, take responsible action under uncertainty, and turn ideas into social, economic, and sustainable value." Dr. Eithne Knappitsch.

Second year of Partnership with European Innovation Academy

CUAS School of Management is proud to announce the second round of partnership with the European Innovation Academy (EIA), a global leader in entrepreneurial education. This collaboration, supported by a government grant from Land KÄRNTEN, will provide three students with scholarships to attend EIA Summer School in Portugal from 20 July to 7 August, 2026.  

Through this collaboration, CUAS students benefit from an exceptional international network and transformative learning opportunities that equip them to become flexible, creative leaders in a global business landscape. EIA programs are designed in partnership with leading institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and Google. EIA is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive academic community, supported by a dynamic alumni network of more than 25,000 graduates representing over 85 countries.

In the intensive three-week summer school, students earn 6 ECTS credits while participating in practical training focused on sustainability, business prototyping, and pitching ideas to industry mentors. They work alongside peers from around the world and receive guidance from top professionals, strengthening their skills in idea generation, business development, and cross-cultural collaboration.

According to Olga Reili, VP of European University Partnerships at the European Innovation Academy: “Through close collaboration with universities worldwide, EIA offers students an intensive, hands-on entrepreneurship experience that complements academic learning with real-world practice. In just 15 days, students progress from early ideas to validated venture concepts, developing critical skills such as problem discovery, business modeling, teamwork, and pitching. Our programs provide a supportive environment where students can experiment, learn from failure, and work on complex, real-world challenges. Guided by a global mentor network from leading companies and innovation ecosystems, and learning alongside peers from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, participants build strong international networks and acquire the entrepreneurial and cross-cultural competencies needed to succeed in today’s global economy. Ultimately, EIA equips students not only for future careers, but more importantly, how to create meaningful impact through innovation, job creation, and responsible entrepreneurship.”
This partnership aligns CUAS with other leading Austrian academic institutions like the University of Graz, which has seen its students benefit from EIA’s intensive program through enhanced leadership, networking, and English communication skills.

Testimonials from 2025 scholarship winners

Azhar Yessenova – Intercultural Management BA Bachelor student (ICM)
“I believe that you can find opportunities everywhere - all you need is the desire to grow.
Participating in the European Innovation Academy was one of those opportunities and truly an unforgettable experience for me. Working in a real startup environment with people from every corner of the world in sunny Porto, Portugal, was so interesting and enlightening.
300+ people from around the world, all in one place, instantly connected us. We worked together on our projects, shared creative ideas, laughed, had fun, spent time together, and gained many new skills and knowledge. We learned from each other and from our successful mentors from top companies like Disney, Amazon, and more, who guided us from start to finish. We became more than just teammates - we became like a family.
Most importantly, I gained practical experience and skills that will stay with me and guide me along my journey. This program showed me what I’m truly capable of and gave me a clearer vision for my future.

The program was an incredible journey, from the welcome day and introductions to celebrating each other’s achievements and the stunning farewell dinner. Every part was carefully organized and full of meaningful moments I'll always remember.

Don’t miss this chance - take the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with amazing people. The European Innovation Academy is an experience that will teach you real skills and leave you with memories you’ll never forget!”

Pouriya Najafi – Digital Marketing & Sales BA student (DMS)
“European Innovation Academy was one of the most valuable experiences of my academic and personal life. During three intensive weeks, I worked in an international team with students from different countries and academic backgrounds, including engineers, which allowed me to develop strong intercultural communication and teamwork skills. Through hands-on startup work, mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, and collaboration with students from various universities, I gained practical knowledge in entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation. 
Most importantly, this experience helped me discover my passion for entrepreneurship and clarified my career path. The program had a lasting impact on me, as it motivated me to pursue my current role as a project leader and entrepreneur and our team’s success, winning three global awards and ranking among the top ten teams, made the experience even more meaningful”.

CUAS application process for scholarships

Scholarship covers tuition and accommodation fees for three BA business students. The selection process for the EIA Summer School scholarship at CUAS follows a structured timeline designed to ensure a thorough evaluation and preparation for participants. An open call for applicants will be launched on 15th February, with a submission deadline of 25th March 2026. Candidates will undergo an evaluation by a panel of experts, with the final scholarship recipients being announced in April. From May, three selected students will participate in online onboarding sessions led by EIA managers to prepare for the program. The Summer School itself will take place in July and August in Porto, Portugal.
Funding: AMT DER KÄRNTNER LANDESREGIERUNG Abteilung 6 – Bildung und Sport UA Tertiäres Bildungswesen und Ausbildungsstätten für Gesundheitsberufe.

Implementation: School of Management, Fachhochschule Kärnten / Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.
www.fh-kaernten.at

European Innovation Academy Summer School:
www.inacademy.eu/portugal

Testimonials of participants: 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaIXsr8qp6w
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eaCk2l51Hw