HIGHER EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES FOR STUDENTS
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Administration (SLOVENIA)
About this paper:
Conference name: 10th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
Dates: 7-9 March, 2016
Location: Valencia, Spain
Abstract:
Since the introduction of Bologna reforms higher education is increasingly focused on learning objectives, learning outcomes and competencies. We can even say that acquiring competencies has become one of the main purposes of higher education. When preparing courses, both goals and competencies are generally aimed at achieving the requirements dictated by the needs of the professional or scientific field. The aspect of "universality" programs will be fulfilled through some generic competencies, which are largely supported by the results of studies and research (e.g. Project Tuning, Bloom's taxonomy, Dublin descriptors, Key competencies (EU), etc. ).
The experience of the implementation of study programs indicates a lack of basic skills related to entrepreneurial thinking and action. These competencies can be seen as an obstacle for graduates as labor market conditions "force" them to start or to continue their professional career as entrepreneurs. Such cases are particularly common in the case of graduates (master's and doctoral programs) who spent most of their study time developing their own competencies, either in a narrow field of expertise or through participation in various research groups at universities, such as young researchers.
Experience shows that this problem is even more pronounced in young researchers. As a rule, they have highly developed professional competencies and poorly developed entrepreneurial competencies. In addition, they have a relatively poor knowledge of the content related to status and legal aspects of business, business administration, taxes and on how to obtain subsidies and build relationships with partners in the labor market. Therefore, the need for further development of entrepreneurial competencies, which would help the candidates to enter the labor market, is even greater.
In the paper:
(1) the analysis of entrepreneurial competencies in selected higher education programs,
(2) the case of the development of a training program for students and young researchers, aimed at acquiring entrepreneurial competencies,
(3) the analysis of student satisfaction (students) with the implementation of this program and
(4) suggestions outlined for the placement of entrepreneurial competencies in higher education programs will be presented.Keywords:
Higher education, entrepreneurial competencies, students, young researchers, training program.