Business prof nets national award for innovative teaching, learning

A pioneering teaching professor from UVic’s Gustavson School of Business, Dr. Brent Mainprize, has won the national 2014 Desire2Learn Innovation in Teaching and Learning award for his fresh ideas in curriculum development and delivery.

Mainprize’s creative approach for teaching entrepreneurship has been put into use as web-based software for evaluating business risk, called the Venture Intelligence Quotient, that is used in academia, innovation “hatcheries” and community economic development initiatives in Canada, Italy, Australia, Denmark and China.

“Brent brings a wealth of experience as an educational leader, dedicated scholar and successful entrepreneur,” says Dr. Saul Klein, dean of the business school. “The admiration and respect of his colleagues and students speaks to his accomplishments in promoting learning and successful businesses.”

Mainprize is deeply committed to using his creative skills and teaching talents in Aboriginal communities to design and deliver culturally appropriate entrepreneurship training, such as the Northwest Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneurs program, a partnership with First Nations financial service provider, TRICORP.

Mainprize, one of five winners from across Canada, will receive his award from the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and Desire2Learn Incorporated at a celebration June 18 in Kingston, Ont. To view more about the award and its recipients visit http://stlhe.ca/awards/desire2learn-innovation-award/2014-recipients

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