Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial competencies and self-employment intentions among students of universities: a case of Kyambogo University

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurial competencies, and self-employment intentions was examined. Three objectives served as the study's direction: To assess the relationship between entrepreneurial education and self-employment intentions for Kyambogo University graduates, to look into the connection between entrepreneurial competencies and self-employment intentions for current Kyambogo University students, and to assess the predictive value of entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial competencies for current Kyambogo University. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used as a guiding framework for the study. To achieve the study objective, a quantitative research approach was used with a case-study design. The study population consisted of 630 students in their final year of Masters and Undergraduate programs. A sample of 234 respondents, representing both undergraduate and Masters students in their final year of study, was used for data collection. The main instrument for data collection was questionnaires. The study conducted quantitative analysis using SPSS 23.0, utilizing correlation and regression. Results revealed that there was a significant relationship between entrepreneurship education and self-employment intention amongst university students (r =.735**). Similarly, it was established that entrepreneurial competencies also had a significant association with self- employment intention (r =.780**). Regression results on the other hand revealed that both entrepreneurship education (Adjusted R-Square =.537) and entrepreneurial competencies (Adjusted R-Square =0.605) positively predicted the variations in self-employment intention. Therefore, it was concluded that entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial competencies are among the major determinants of self-employment intentions amongst university students. As a result, the study recommends that the education system in Uganda should integrate entrepreneurship education into education syllabi right from lower levels of education as a nurturing process of developing interest amongst University graduates. The nurturing process of university students should be oriented towards enhancing knowledge and skills of graduates on entrepreneurship, change the attitude and some personality attributes of graduates so that they develop a mindset of self-employment intentions and lastly, entrepreneurship curriculum of universities should be modified in consideration of the mode of teaching of entrepreneurship course. The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding fostering entrepreneurship education and competencies in higher education institutions in Uganda. Key terms: Entrepreneurship education, Entrepreneurship competencies and Self-employment intentions