Entrepreneurship Education as Panacea to Job Creation among University Graduates: A Case of ZCAS University

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that entrepreneurship education can have on entrepreneurial outcomes by the graduates from ZCAS University. The author aimed to investigate the perceived influence that various entrepreneurship education courses have had on a cohort of 76 graduates from the University’s School of Business that were pesuing Bachlor’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneusrhip, bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance, bachelor’s degree in Accountaning. Methodology: A questionnaire with semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews was administered to 75 responsents via google forms. Findings and results indicate that entrepreneurship education is slowly having an impact on graduate entrepreneurship intentions as a progressive number of graduates accounting for 33% engaged themselves in entrepreneurship which ultimately has the potential to create jobs and and have a positive impact on economic development. Findings: The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policy makers and graduate entrepreneurs. Stakeholders such as government, local authorities and sponsors/parents could use this study to make better choices in relation to the education of future graduate entrepreneurs. The study therefore recommends among others inclusion of significant course content on entrepreneurship and investment in non-business and management related programmes of study. Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study provides an empirically rigorous insight into a relatively neglected area of entrepreneurship education research. It provides valuable data for stakeholders involved in both the supply and the demand side of the entrepreneurship education process. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact that entrepreneurship education can have on entrepreneurial outcomes by the graduates from ZCAS University. The author aimed to investigate the perceived influence that various entrepreneurship education courses have had on a cohort of 76 graduates from the University’s School of Business that were pesuing Bachlor’s degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneusrhip, bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance, bachelor’s degree in Accountaning. Methodology: A questionnaire with semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews was administered to 75 responsents via google forms. Findings and results indicate that entrepreneurship education is slowly having an impact on graduate entrepreneurship intentions as a progressive number of graduates accounting for 33% engaged themselves in entrepreneurship which ultimately has the potential to create jobs and and have a positive impact on economic development. Findings: The findings provide valuable insights for educators, policy makers and graduate entrepreneurs. Stakeholders such as government, local authorities and sponsors/parents could use this study to make better choices in relation to the education of future graduate entrepreneurs. The study therefore recommends among others inclusion of significant course content on entrepreneurship and investment in non-business and management related programmes of study. Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study provides an empirically rigorous insight into a relatively neglected area of entrepreneurship education research. It provides valuable data for stakeholders involved in both the supply and the demand side of the entrepreneurship education process.