Computing and engineering students’ perceptions of entrepreneurship education in a Jamaican university

Abstract

Entrepreneurship fosters growth and competitiveness in a country’s economy. University students, especially those in the technical fields, have the potential to found high growth technological-based innovative ventures. This paper looks at student perceptions of entrepreneurship education among undergraduate computing and engineering students at the University of Technology, Jamaica as a first step in fostering entrepreneurial intentions. Students appear to have limited exposure to entrepreneurial education which can affect their entrepreneurial intentions and reduce their inclination to start a business. Implications are that deliberate formal and informal curriculum activities should be instituted to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among computing and engineering students so that their technical education can lead to greater participation in entrepreneurial programs and activities. The significance is that increased participation among this group can result in technologically based businesses which can address the human capital gap in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Keywords—Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial intentions, computing and engineering, Jamaica