85871 - Laboratory 4

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has acquired knowledge, skills and a direct experience of the activity of an Agronomist, from a managerial and organizational point of view. Furthermore he has experienced of the basic elements to potentially start and manage a new business idea in the agroindustrial sector.

Course contents

How to start a firm in this sector:

• Initiatives to support new businesses and the fund raising activity
  
• EU and local policies supporting investment, innovation and the young entrepreneurs
• New and innovative firms in agribusiness: presentation of some case studies (start up)
• how to set up a business model and a business plan.

New opportunities of business in rural areas.

Working in team: business plan and business model application to an innovative agribusiness idea.

The Agronomist’s activity management: competencies, professional skills, organization, planning and development of the activity.

Seminars to extend the student’s technical skills will be planned year by year, according to the different business ideas.

Testimonials of consultants, professionals and entrepreneurs in the agroindustry area.

Readings/Bibliography

Students will be provided with materials specifically prepared for the course, specific references for the study and eventual integrations.

Teaching methods

The first part of Lab4 is focused on a theoretical background about business initiatives in the agro-industrial sector. During this part students should identify a case-study (a potential business idea) to develop during the laboratory for the final examination.

Students will work in group: each group should identify an innovative business case and develop it. This work, always under the supervision of the teachers, represents the Lab4 core activity.

In order to study in depth the sector of activity chosen by the students for their start-up ideas, specific seminars, made by scholars in that fields, will take place.

Activities coordinated in the framework of EU project H2020 RUBIZMO

“As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend Module 1, 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] on Health and Safety online”.

Assessment methods

For the final examination, a student (or a group of students) must choose and develop a business idea (in the fields of work studied during the course), he presents it to the class (perhaps also with teachers/students from different courses) and a little debate will take place about it.

Final discussion will take nearly 20 minutes.

The final exam could be given in English.

Teaching tools

Whiteboard, slides, digital tools and if available specific softwares will be adopted.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Castellini