From the UP FBE Classroom to the Global Stage

Changing direction in life is never easy, especially when it happens unexpectedly. For Prosper Iheanacho, that turning point became the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey shaped by resilience, curiosity, and the supportive ecosystem of the University of Pécs, Faculty of Business and Economics.

Originally from Nigeria, Prosper began his academic journey studying medicine in Ukraine. When the war forced him to leave the country, he suddenly found himself facing a future full of uncertainty. Like many international students affected by the conflict, he had to make important decisions quickly, reassessing not only where he would study next, but also who he wanted to become professionally.

“I didn’t just want to continue studying somewhere,” Prosper shared. “I wanted a fresh start in an environment that would allow me to grow and explore new directions.”

That search led him to the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pécs. What initially attracted him was the international environment and the practical nature of the programmes. What he found, however, was much more than an academic restart.

Discovering Entrepreneurship in Everyday Moments

From the beginning, Prosper knew that business felt right. He had always been interested in solving problems and creating value. At the faculty, those instincts began to take shape through daily exposure to ideas, people, and opportunities.

Some of his most influential learning moments happened outside traditional classrooms. As a student assistant, Prosper worked in an office located next to a lecture hall where Professor Zsolt Bedő regularly taught entrepreneurship courses. Although the course was an elective and he was not officially enrolled, Prosper often overheard parts of the lectures while working.

“I would hear discussions about startups, innovation, and problem-solving almost every week,” he recalled. “At the time, I didn’t think much of it.”

Over time, however, those ideas stayed with him. When he later began developing his own startup, Prosper realized that his thinking process mirrored the frameworks and approaches he had absorbed simply by listening.

“That’s when it clicked,” he said. “I was approaching problems exactly the way Professor Bedő explained in his lectures, even though I had never taken the course.”

It was a powerful reminder that learning at university often happens in subtle, unexpected ways.

A Classroom Insight That Sparked a Solution

Another defining influence came from a course taught by Professor Csapi Vivien. Prosper admired her teaching style and found her classes engaging, well-prepared, and intellectually stimulating. At the same time, he noticed that not all students connected with the course in the same way.

What stood out to him most was the timing of feedback. Students typically shared their opinions only at the end of the semester, long after changes could realistically be made.

“That really stayed with me,” Prosper explained. “I kept thinking about how much better the learning experience could be if lecturers had access to student feedback during the course, not after it.”

That reflection slowly evolved into one of the core ideas behind InCharge, a platform designed to help educators receive real-time, structured feedback from students. What began as a classroom observation turned into a concrete solution rooted directly in the academic experience.

Turning Ideas into Action Through University Support

The Faculty of Business and Economics played a key role in helping Prosper move from ideas to action. Through initiatives such as iExpo and innovation-focused university events, he had opportunities to present his ideas, receive professional feedback, and refine his thinking year after year.

Rather than seeing these events as competitions, Prosper approached them as learning spaces.

“Each time I participated, I understood my idea better,” he said. “The feedback helped me see what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve.”

InCharge was developed together with his friends, reflecting the collaborative and international spirit of the faculty. Working with peers from different cultural and academic backgrounds strengthened both the product and the team behind it.

“Building something together while still being students created a strong sense of trust and motivation,” Prosper shared. “It never felt like I was doing it alone.”

The Faculty as a First Partner

One of the most meaningful milestones in Prosper’s journey was when the Faculty of Business and Economics became the first testing environment for InCharge. This allowed him and his team to pilot their solution in a real academic setting and refine it based on direct feedback from both students and lecturers.

“Having the university as our first partner meant a lot,” Prosper said. “It gave us credibility and confidence, and it showed us that our idea could genuinely create value.”

At the same time, working as a student assistant gave him insight into how academic institutions operate from the inside. Balancing work, studies, and entrepreneurship helped him develop time management skills, professional confidence, and a deeper understanding of organizational structures.

An International Environment That Builds Confidence

Studying in an international environment was another defining element of Prosper’s experience. Daily collaboration with students from different cultures helped him become more open, adaptable, and confident in diverse settings.

“Working with people from so many backgrounds became normal,” he said. “Now, being part of international teams feels natural to me.”

This exposure, combined with the faculty’s practical focus, helped prepare him for the global workforce and reinforced his belief that his ideas could have an international impact.

Looking Ahead

Today, Prosper continues to develop InCharge while expanding his professional experience and working with international partners. His long-term vision is centred on innovation, impact, and continuous learning.

Looking back, he believes the Faculty of Business and Economics offered far more than academic knowledge.

“It gave me space to observe, to experiment, and to turn ideas into something real,” he reflected.

Advice for Future Students

For students considering the Faculty of Business and Economics, especially those interested in entrepreneurship, Prosper offers simple but meaningful advice:

“Get involved, stay curious, and pay attention. Sometimes the most important lessons come from places you don’t expect.”

Prosper’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right environment, support, and mindset, a fresh start can become the foundation for something truly impactful.