Entrepreneurial Education in a Tertiary Context: A Perspective of the University of South Africa

Abstract

South Africa is characterised by high unemployment levels, a low Total Early Stage Entrepreneurial Activity rate, and a high small business failure rate. Entrepreneurship and small business development is seen as a solution to end unemployment in South Africa. A study to understand how to improve small business support was conducted at the University of South Africa and has shown that alumni are unable to apply theoretical knowledge acquired from their studies. The purpose of this article is to explore the potential of the University of South Africa in becoming more entrepreneurial to address the aforementioned challenges. A desk study that reviewed literature was conducted to identify different constructs associated with an entrepreneurial university, namely entrepreneurial education, research and development, innovation, commercialisation and incubation, and stakeholders. In addition to traditional teaching methods, various alternative approaches can be used to stimulate entrepreneurial education to develop the skills of learners/students. To address these challenges a closer relationship between academia, government, and industry is paramount. It is recommended that universities incorporate entrepreneurial education in all their qualifications, expose students to on-the-job training, assist with the incubation of business ideas that students have, and provide a platform for cross-pollination of knowledge between industry, academia, and government.

The Role of International Academic Professionals in the Development of Entrepreneurial Universities in South Africa: Government Funded Universities Perspective

“…On the same vein, Guerrero and Urbano (2012) refer to an entrepreneurial university as a place where knowledge-based entrepreneurship has emerged as a driving force for economic growth, employment creation and competitiveness in global markets. Considering high unemployment rate in South Africa currently at 27.2% (Stats SA, 2018), it cannot be over-emphasised that the general perception in South Africa is that entrepreneurship and small business development are the gateways to the alleviation of high unemployment in the country (Amadi-Echendu et al, 2016). With this notion in mind, universities as representatives of social change are expected to lead the entrepreneurial education initiative (Radipere 2012).…”

“…Entrepreneurial Universities in South Africa: Radipere (2012) notes that entrepreneurship and small business management education has grown over the years in South African universities but the content does not seem to achieve the desired goal of producing employers, instead most of the entrepreneurship students are seeking jobs. Amadi-Echendu et al (2016) highlighted that instead of an increase in entrepreneurship activities in the country there had been decreases. They carried out a study in which they explored the potential of the University of South Africa in becoming an entrepreneurial university.…”

“…Beijnath (2015), states that South Africa's tertiary education system continues to focus on producing job-seekers instead of job creators. This problem has forced South African Universities to explore more on their potential of becoming more entrepreneurial for example the University of South Africa is busy trying that (Amadi-Echendu et al, 2016). In as much as universities are willing to succeed in becoming entrepreneurial, they are faced with a lack of academics in the field of entrepreneurship, thereby hindering the entrepreneurial drive in the country (Motsoeneng 2015).…”

The synergistic role of academic entrepreneurship patterns in entrepreneurial university transformation: Analysis across three African sub-regions

“…Other systematic studies in Africa that come close to the EPU literature mostly address the engaged university (Mtawa, Fongwa'a, and Wangenge-Ouma 2016;van Schalkwyk and De Langue 2018) and the role of universities in economic development (Cloete, Bailey, and Maassen 2011;Muller, Cloete, and van Schalkwyks 2016). Most have focused on student and staff entrepreneurship (Akinwale 2015;Amadi-Echendu, Chodokufa, and Visser 2016;Malele, Mpofu, and Muchie 2019;Mutanda, Lekhanya, and Moyo 2018), often describing single-country or single-university cases. One of such that inspired this article is Doh's (2012), which studies perceptions about entrepreneurship in Cameroonian universities, using the five pathways of Clark (1998).…”

Cross-Border Disparities in the Aspects of Entrepreneurship and Personality Traits of Future Entrepreneurs

“…In the USA, for example, entrepreneurship is regarded as a prestigious and enhancing status activity, however, other countries may have different attitudes (de Pillis & Reardon, 2007). Entrepreneurship and the development of small businesses is considered a good solution in countries or regions with a high unemployment rate as it can improve the difficult situation (Amadi-Echendu, Phillips, Chodokufa, & Visser, 2016).…”