Influence of Entrepreneurial Education on Self'-Employment of University Graduates

Abstract

Population growth and expansion of higher learning institutions unemployment of university graduates is a major socio- economic problem in Tanzania. This study discusses on the influence of entrepreneurial education on self-employment among university graduates focus in Moshi Municipality. The overall objective of the study was to examine the influence of entrepreneurial education on self-employment among university graduates. The specific objectives were: To examine the intention of university graduates on self-employment, to assess the influence of formal entrepreneurship education on self-employment and to examine the influence of demographic factors on graduates’ entrepreneurial entry decisions. The study adopted cross section research design, where structured questionnaire using open and closed ended questionnaire was used to collect primary information from a sample size of 92 respondents. The study used descriptive and regression in analyzing data. The findings revealed that students were positive in their perception towards self-employment, quality of the programmes teaching methods and number of years schooling significant influence self-employment. The regression analysis tested p < 0.05 showed that social economic variables such as Age, sex, family entrepreneur, income, capital. marital status, quality curriculum and formal entrepreneur education have significantly influence self-employment and entrepreneur entry after graduation. Also graduate 'have job preferences in government or private employment and majority of students who don't have short- term self-employment plan in the foreseeable future aner graduation focus on entrepreneurship. Therefore, the study recommends that universities graduate should focus practically on development of competencies related to entrepreneurship rather than found themselves in field without practical and general understanding.