SOCIALSCI JOURNAL

Towards an Entrepreneurship Curriculum in a Developing Country Tertiary Institution: The Case of Zimbabwe Open University

Abstract

Silvanos Chirume(DPhil)1,Saiden Thondhlana(DPhil)

Entrepreneurial activities are considered crucial to economic development. In the case of Zimbabwe, unemploymenthas reached unprecedented levels because of the shutting down of industries. However, economic development can be resuscitated through higher education which is perceived as an instrument for entrepreneurship promotion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the need for an entrepreneurship curriculum in universities in developing countries such as Zimbabwe and the support needed in the implementation of such a curriculum. The study used a qualitative paradigm and adopted a casestudy design. The instrument used for the study was an open-ended questionnaire (Quester-view) and a study of literature documents was also undertaken. The sample of the study consisted of 14 full time and 10 part time lecturers. The findings were that anentrepreneurship curriculum was highly needed and the content for such a curriculum had to embrace business management courses,vocationalisation of learning and monitoring and evaluation of business operations. These areas were to be infused in every course of the university. The informants suggested thatthe curriculum was to be imparted using the hands-on methodologies that included field trips, attachments, use of ICT’s, videos, conferences and seminars and guided discovery and projects. Suggestions onassessment strategies and on the support to be offered were also proffered. The study recommended, inter alia, that universities in developing countries should have an entrepreneurship education curriculum across all subject areas,an entrepreneurship curriculum should to go hand in glove with a STEM curriculum in a university,and that there is need for full support of entrepreneurship education from all stakeholders.