Co-founder of The Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society is appointed as a Professor of Practice at UWTSD

Professor David A Kirby, holder of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and co-founder of the Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society has been appointed as a Professor of Practice at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to work closely with the University’s Harmony Institute.

The University has a growing reputation in relation to sustainability, The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and the principle of ‘Harmony’. UWTSD has been developing policies and teaching related to sustainability for a number of years – and is now developing the philosophical notion of Harmony within the curriculum and in connection with the wider community.

The title of ‘Professor of Practice’ is bestowed upon an individual to honour and recognise that person for having attained academic and/or professional distinction in those disciplines which are aligned with the strategic intentions of the university.

Professor Kirby is a UK academic who pioneered the teaching of Entrepreneurship in the UK and internationally, initially in Wales. In 2006, he was a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion for his research, teaching, training, and consultancy in the field.

After holding Chairs in Entrepreneurship at the Universities of Durham and Surrey, from 2007-2017 he was founding Dean and Vice President at the British University in Egypt a social enterprise that he helped launch to introduce British Higher Education to the country. Here he introduced the country’s first-degree specialism in Entrepreneurship and conducted research into Entrepreneurship Education, Entrepreneurial Universities and University Technology Transfer.

Here, also, he met the Egyptian pharmacologist and social entrepreneur, Dr Ibrahim Abouleish, founder of SEKEM, a commercial enterprise creating a thriving agricultural community embracing people and planet as well as profit.

Professor Medwin Hughes, DL, UWTSD Vice-Chancellor said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Kirby to the University. Professors of Practice have a particular contribution to make in reference to our growing reputation in relation to sustainability, The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and the principle of ‘Harmony’. Since the creation of UWTSD, we have been enabling new ways of looking at the world for a more harmonious relationship between humankind and nature and the need for greater understanding and tolerance – greater harmony – between and among us. This university and the Lampeter campus in particular, aims to be a beacon in testing such assumptions in the spirit of harmony.”

Professor Kirby said: “It is with great pleasure that I accept the invitation to become a Professor of Practice of the University. Working alongside my Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society co-founder and UWTSD Entrepreneurial Learning Champion, Felicity Healey-Benson, and the University’s Enterprise Manager, Dr Kathryn Penaluna, as well as colleagues in the University’s Harmony Institute, will permit us to develop the Society and to continue to work on aspects of entrepreneurship and sustainability in Wales.

“Not only does UWTSD have a strong commitment to regeneration in Wales, but its International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development has had a significant impact internationally, while its Harmony Institute aims to develop academic inquiry into the concept of Harmony and its application. We look forward to collaborating with them.

“At the Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society, we believe in collaboration and working in Harmony to address the Sustainability challenge. We look forward to working with you, wherever you are in the world.  According to the ancient Tamil poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar, “One who cannot live in harmony with others is regarded as an ignorant fool, even if he happens to be very learned in different matters.”

“So let us work together in Harmony for “all things under the sun will flourish when harmony prevails” (Xun Zi).

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer

Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus

Corporate Communications and PR

Mobile: 07384 467071

Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk