UNESCO EE-Net Webinar on “Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindset in Schools: The Foundational Role of Communication and Mental Wellness”

The UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network (EE-Net) Pakistan Chapter, appointed by the Institute of Business Management, organized a webinar on “Embedding Entrepreneurship in Foundational Education in collaboration with National Curriculum Council member, held the second webinar in its international webinar series titled: “Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindset in Schools: The Foundational Role of Communication and Mental Wellness” on May 17, 2025. 

This webinar series is a joint initiative designed to collectively advocate and strengthen entrepreneurship education by emphasizing the critical role of communication skills and mental well-being in nurturing entrepreneurial traits in school-aged students in Pakistan and the Asian region.
The session was opened by co-organizer of the webinar Ms. Saima Abbas, Curriculum and Assessment Specialist at the National Curriculum Council, and a member of UNESCO EE-Net-Pakistan Chapter.

Ms. Abbas, who is currently contributing to the integration of entrepreneurship education into Pakistan’s national curriculum, emphasized the strategic importance of developing communication competence and emotional resilience as key components of entrepreneurial readiness.

The webinar was co-moderated by Mr. Raza Abbas, Focal Person of the UNESCO EE-Net Pakistan Chapter and Head of Incubation-Institute of Business Management- IoBM, who highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts between educators, curriculum developers, and mental health professionals in building future-ready entrepreneurs and learners. Raza advocated that it is the need of the current times to prioritize school entrepreneurship and initiate a meaningful project with committed national and global partners. This webinar reflected a synergistic collaboration between a UNESCO EE-Net Pakistan Chapter comprising National Curriculum Council curriculum expert, international and national experts, demonstrating a united national and international commitment to innovative, holistic, and inclusive entrepreneurship education.

Distinguished Panelists and Key Insights:
The panel featured prominent international and national experts:
•    Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya – Head of UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network- Sri Lanka Chapter, Entrepreneurship Education Specialist
•    Dr. Shagufta Jabeen – Communication Skills Specialist 
•    Dr. Uzma Malik – Mental Health Specialist

• Dr. Kalpana Ambepitiya emphasized that traits such as creativity, risk-taking, and decision-making are deeply linked with students’ mental well-being and ability to communicate. She advocated for project-based learning, design thinking, and entrepreneurship student clubs as means to embed entrepreneurship meaningfully in school curricula.
• Dr. Shagufta Jabeen offered strategies for reducing communication anxiety and building confident communicators through supportive classroom environments, continuous positive reinforcement by educators, and simulation exercises, all of which are essential for entrepreneurial success.
• Dr. Uzma Malik highlighted the importance of embedding emotional resilience and mindfulness practices in the classroom, noting that mental wellness is crucial for students to handle stress, learn from failure, and thrive in entrepreneurial contexts.
• The webinar initiative aligns closely with UNESCO EE-Net’s global mission to integrate entrepreneurial thinking into formal education systems in a context-sensitive and inclusive way.
• The series will continue with upcoming webinars that explore gaps related to teacher training, curriculum implementation, and student-centered entrepreneurial learning. This collaborative effort aims to create a global community of practice that supports the next generation of entrepreneurs equipped with 21st-century skills and emotional intelligence.