TV’s Theo hails new uni degree

Sep 18 2008 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

SELF-MADE millionaire Theo Paphitis has launched a new degree with Huddersfield University – to give talented young people a better chance of running their own business.

The retail tycoon and star of TV’s Dragon’s Den unveiled details of the new BA Honours degree in Enterprise Development at Saviles Hall in Leeds yesterday – where he also addressed more than 600 students from 300 high schools.

The new degree, which has been described as “pracademic” for its mix of practical and academic elements, has been designed to help young entrepreneurs start and run their own business while studying for a degree.

Over the three-year period, students will also have the chance to talk to several successful entrepreneurs including Theo, who has agreed to be an ambassador for the course and to mentor the students by staging his very own “masterclass”.

Said Theo: “The course is unique – what I really like is the combination of the practical and academia. This is a great opportunity for people who want to be entrepreneurial to do a degree that actually relates to what they want to do.”

Theo, who has dyslexia, said he left school with barely any qualifications, adding: “I had a lot to offer, but unfortunately the education system didn’t have a lot to offer me and certainly there was no way I could do a business degree.

“But this course allows people who might not have the best A-levels or qualifications but with the aptitude to do something they actually find exciting.”

Others providing advice to the students on the new course include world-renowned business guru Michael Gerber, who has played a part in devising the business development part of the degree.

Michael said: “We need to re-invent the way we start a business. The current thinking isn’t working and hasn’t worked properly for over 30 years. Too many small businesses still fail in the first five years of their existence – this must stop.”