International Webinar on “Design Thinking Meets Effectuation"

On October 2, 2025, the Faculty of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tehran hosted an international webinar entitled “Design Thinking Meets Effectuation: Co-Creating Innovation to Drive Entrepreneurial Success,” featuring Prof. Poorva Ranjan from Delhi Metropolitan Education, India.

At the outset, Dr. Abolghasem Arabiun, Director of the Technological Entrepreneurship Department at the Faculty of Entrepreneurship at the University of Tehran, set the tone by underscoring the urgent need to modernize both teaching and research methodologies. Dr. Arabiun explained that aligning the powerful frameworks of Design Thinking and Effectuation would position the University of Tehran at the forefront of global entrepreneurship discourse. He also articulated the faculty’s mission to cultivate resilient, creative entrepreneurs, unveiled his vision for a sustained series of international webinars, and stressed the strategic value of cross-border collaboration.

Following this compelling introduction, Prof. Poorva Ranjan explored the session’s core themes, demonstrating how weaving together the human-centered creativity of Design Thinking with the resource-based logic of Effectuation creates a robust foundation for navigating complex uncertainties. Her insights offered attendees practical approaches to co-creating innovation alongside a diverse network of stakeholders.

The webinar was organized under the leadership of Dr. Jahangir Yadolahi Farsi, Dean of the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, with the dedicated support of Dr. Arabiun and a team of master’s and PHD students. Upon conclusion, all participants received an international certificate jointly issued by the University of Tehran and the Association of Universities of the Islamic World.

This event is part of the faculty’s ongoing series of international webinars, designed to foster scholarly dialogue, exchange global best practices, and strengthen the University of Tehran’s international standing in entrepreneurship education and research