Elusive search on the influence of entrepreneurship education in the private institutions of higher learning in South Africa: A paradigm for developing students into innovative thinkers

Abstract

This paper examines the perception of Academic Managers in the private Higher Education Institutions of South Africa (SA) on the significance of entrepreneurship education. It identifies factors influencing the implementation of such an education. There were 78 private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in SA that were identified for participation in this study. These institutions are registered in terms section 54 (1) (c) of the South African Act (SAQA, 2012). Hence, the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) provided a sample frame of all the private HEIs in SA. From the 78 HEIs identified, 22 offered the pastoral courses and were excluded from the study. As a result, a target population of 56 HEIs participated in the study. This research has two objectives. That is, examining the perception of Academic Managers on entrepreneurship education, and the reasons for offering such education in the private HEIs in SA. The paper uncovers the need for entrepreneurship education in private HEIs of SA. The results present the value of entrepreneurship education as a practice that develops students into cross functional innovative thinkers. It provides valuable data relating to the significance of entrepreneurship education for developing students into business minded individuals. It also provides initial baseline data upon which to base future studies.