The Foundations of Design and Entrepreneurship (FDE) course is a course required for all first-year students at Ashesi. The one-year course equips students with skills to identify pressing challenges, develop creative solutions, and launch sustainable ventures.
A Hands-On Approach to Learning
FDE isn’t a traditional, theory-heavy course. It is an immersive, student-driven experience that introduces students to design thinking and entrepreneurship. In this course, students explore real-world problems in their communities, applying design thinking to uncover root causes and develop potential solutions. By the end of the first semester, they generate initial business ideas, which are then refined in the second semester as they acquire practical skills and test their solutions in real-life settings. This dynamic process transforms classroom research into actionable business ventures.
From Classroom Insights to Real-World Impact
A unique feature of the course is its impact of inspiring students from diverse disciplines, including engineering and computer science, to embrace entrepreneurship. Many participants have gone on to launch businesses addressing local challenges. For example, Jennipher Panashe, a mechanical engineering student from Zimbabwe, built on concepts developed in FDE to create a sustainable construction company that transforms recycled plastic into durable road materials – demonstrating how academic insights can drive community impact.
Challenges and Growth
Introducing entrepreneurship to a diverse student body comes with challenges. Many students initially struggle with the ambiguity of open-ended problem-solving, as they are more accustomed to structured, answer-driven learning. However, FDE’s iterative, hands-on approach develops resilience, creativity, and critical thinking. As faculty member Jewel Thompson explains, “We allow students to experience ambiguity and figure things out themselves. It’s uncomfortable at first, but it pushes them to develop innovative and scalable solutions.”
Shaping Africa’s Future Entrepreneurs
By nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets and an ethical approach to problem-solving, FDE prepares students to drive economic transformation across Africa. Students complete the course with viable business ideas and the confidence and skills needed to make a lasting impact in their communities.
