2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Framework for Sustainable and Inclusive Entrepreneurial Education in Engineering: Lessons from the Internationalization of Startups

Presented at Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation Division (ENT) Technical Session 4 -EM and Innovation in Engineering Education

This paper proposes a framework for sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurial education in engineering, inspired by startup globalization processes. While engineering education has traditionally emphasized technical competencies, contemporary professional practice increasingly requires transversal capabilities related to entrepreneurship, sustainability, inclusion, and global orientation. Drawing on research on innovation ecosystems, sustainable business models, and inclusive innovation, this study adopts a Design Science Research approach to develop an applied pedagogical artifact. The framework integrates three interdependent dimensions (sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and global orientation) and operationalizes them through tools such as the EcoCanvas, Internationalization Canvas, Empathy Maps, and Personas. A proposed application demonstrates how the framework can be applied in project-based engineering courses to support student engagement, systems thinking, and responsible innovation. The study contributes a theoretically grounded and practically applicable model that aligns engineering education with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the evolving demands of innovation-driven economies.

Authors

Mrs. Paula Kvitko de Moura Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul [biography]

Paula Kvitko de Moura, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Industrial Engineering at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, and a Deep Tech Specialist at the UFRGS Science and Technology Park. She also serves as a Professor and as an Analyst in the Undergraduate Modernization Program, where she supports pedagogical innovation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic development across the School of Engineering. Her research focuses on innovation ecosystems, startup innovation, digital transformation, and active learning in engineering education. She is also an International Research Partner at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), collaborating on initiatives related to innovation and technology-driven education.
Italo Rodeghiero Neto Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul [biography]

Post doctoral researcher in Industrial Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. Temporary professor at the same university. Doctor and Master of Industrial Engineering from UFRGS (2020). His research mainly spans engineering education, ergonomics, human factors, and accessibility.
Kelly Cristina Ferreira Dias Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul [biography]

Kelly Cristina Ferreira Dias is a Ph.D. candidate in Industrial Engineering at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil. Her research focuses on competency-based education, technology foresight, and digital transformation in engineering education. She has experience in innovation management and applied research in collaboration with industry, working on projects related to educational technology, data analytics, and strategic intelligence. Kelly is also involved in initiatives that connect academia and industry to promote continuous improvement and the development of adaptive learning ecosystems.
Joana Siqueira de Souza Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul
Laura Visintainer Visintainer Lerman
Daniel O. L. Silva
Carla Schwengber ten Caten Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul

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