Filipp Kazin - Candidate of Sciences (History), Dean, Technological Management and Innovation Faculty, ITMO University. Address: 11/2 Chaikovsky St., 191187 Saint Petersburg, Russan Federation. E-mail:kazin@corp.ifmo.ru

Stephen Hagen - Professor Emeritus of the University of South Wales (UK). Address: University of South Wales, Pontypridd, Wales, CF37 1DL. E-mail:stephenhagenprof@ gmail.com

Аnastasiya Prichislenko - Head of Personal Development Center, Technological Management and Innovation Faculty, ITMO University. Address: 11/2 Chaikovsky St., 191187 Saint Petersburg, Russan Federation. E-mail:aprichislenko@gmail.com

Andrey Zlenko - Director of Center for Community Projects and Social Entrepreneurship, Technological Management and Innovation Faculty, ITMO University. Address: 11/2 Chaikovsky St., 191187 Saint Petersburg, Russan Federation. E-mail: anikspb@mail.ru

This article provides an empirically-based insight into the operation and impact of socially-oriented entrepreneurship as an educational tool at the Russian higher education institution, ITMO University (St Petersburg). The experience suggests that consciously placing stress on the social and ethical dimension of entrepreneurship education provides a strong motivational factor which develops many students’ interests towards contributing positively to society. The effective engagement of students in community projects creates a synergy between the project’s practical objectives, students’ awareness of self, and helps to refine the students’ own life goals and values -invaluable for setting a career strategy.