Open content textbooks: Educating the next generation of bioentrepreneurs in developing economies

Abstract

Bioclusters, formal and informal networks devoted to the commercial development of life science invention and discoveries, are growing throughout the world, including many developing economies. As these clusters evolve, there will be an increasing need for scientific and leadership talent. Bioentrepreneurship educational programmes require access to high quality, relevant textbook and case materials at a reasonable cost. In addition, since biobusinesses are affected by globalisation like other industries and since life sciences businesses are often ‘born global’, future bioentrepreneurs and knowledge workers need an international perspective. We describe an open content textbook project that includes a textbook of bioentrepreneurship. The textbook site provides materials that are intended to be free, easily accessible and updated on a regular basis by content experts, students and practitioners. Bioentrepreneurship education around the world is still unstructured and developing. Instructional materials are difficult or impossible to obtain in some regions of the world. The Global Text Project provides materials to faculty and students anywhere in the world for free.