Developing Nutritional Education Programs for Bio Entrepreneurship: Integrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Biotechnological Approaches

Abstract

This paper investigates the integration of nutrition education with innovation and entrepreneurship within the framework of bio entrepreneurship. It begins by establishing a relationship between health and nutrition, from which a metric of nutritional health is derived. This metric serves as a foundation for blending nutrition education with entrepreneurial principles, emphasizing the creation of biotechnologically-focused ventures. The core modules of the traditional nutrition curriculum are reevaluated and restructured to include elements of entrepreneurship and biotechnological innovation. Utilizing the triple helix theory, which focuses on university-industry-government collaboration, the development of resources for innovation and entrepreneurship in nutrition is analyzed. Student attitudes towards this integrative approach are assessed to identify effective methods for enhancing the integration process. The study proposes a 'race-creation' model as a strategic framework to facilitate this integration, showing promising results in improving educational outcomes. Empirical results from the implementation of the model reveal a preference among students for a hybrid of traditional and digital teaching methods, with 50% favoring traditional media and 30% supporting a blend of online and offline approaches. Furthermore, the integration significantly enhanced students’ innovation and practical abilities, with scores rising from 0.3 to 0.45 and 0.35 to 0.4, respectively, post-integration. This study not only supports the effective integration of nutrition and entrepreneurship education but also highlights the potential for advanced biotechnological applications to enrich this educational fusion. By fostering a curriculum that combines nutritional science with entrepreneurial skills and biotechnological insights, it lays a foundation for nurturing future leaders capable of driving innovation in health and nutrition industries.