ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, INDUSTRIES AND THE GOVERNMENT – ROLES IN SUSTAINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCE

Abstract

There has been growing concern of high rate of unemployment among engineering graduates, roaming the nation’s streets in search for white collar jobs, despite the fact that entrepreneurial courses have been introduced to the engineering curriculum, as a distinct set of commercial skills and techniques to improve the employability of these graduates. This paper, which draws strength from detailed review of literature, presents views on how the academic institutions, industries and the government can help to reinforce, sustain and consolidate the engineering entrepreneurship programme, with the hope to produce well rounded, morally and intellectually capable engineering graduates with entrepreneurial skills, who could create jobs rather than look for jobs. This will go a long way to reduce the unemployment rate and enhance positive impact on national economic development. Some suggested roles which the academic institutions, industries and government can play in building the skills and competences of the engineering students include: frequent organization of seminars and practical classes or hands-on business activities based on innovative engineering projects, new business development, preparation of business plan, formation of strategic alliances or strong ties outside the university setting to include alumni and local businesses communities that can interface with the entrepreneurial program, mixing students from several engineering departments, and ensuring entrepreneurial courses which relate market needs to the research activities offered by academic institution. Similarly, more funds should be provided by the government for entrepreneurship programs and creation of adequate well equipped entrepreneurship centers across the nation.