Introduction

To share innovative entrepreneurship training methods for South Asian university faculty, a program was held at Beyster Institute, University of California, USA with the support of U. S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Beyster Institute, University of California, San Diego, USA and Centre for Small and Medium Enterprise Growth and Development Finance (CESMED), India. The Program aimed to introduce a number of highly creative and effective experiential approaches to teaching entrepreneurship, incorporating case studies, business plans and marketing exercises in the classroom. Participants for the program included senior faculty members from business schools in India , Pakistan and Bangladesh .

ORIGIN OF SAFEER

The first phase of the program was held at University of California San Diego (UCSD) during 7 th to 13th December 2005. During this phase on 12th December, 2005 it was unanimously decided to form the South Asia Forum for Entrepreneurship Education and Research (SAFEER). SAFEER aims to provide a platform for entrepreneurship teachers, trainers and researchers to disseminate learning, knowledge, and encourage joint activities among the member institutions to nurture indigenous entrepreneurial talent. During the first meeting of the founders it was decided to locate the Secretariat of SAFEER at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad , India.