Encouraging youth entrepreneurship through tertiary education in Malta : a case study of the University of Malta

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is perceived as an important driver of economic growth and social development throughout the world and in particular the European Union. Newly forged entrepreneurial ventures make significant contributions to economic growth and employment both directly and also by stimulating their more established competitors. This realisation has resulted in a resurgence of interest for the study of entrepreneurship and its subsequent economic underpinnings. This study explored the role that tertiary education plays in imparting entrepreneurial competencies among students. Furthermore In particular, it explored what courses and incentives are currently offered at the University of Malta to promote youth entrepreneurship and identified areas for further improvement in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among its students to encourage them to become entrepreneurs. The results indicated a variety of courses and, study units and initiatives are offered by the University of Malta, but there are areas for improvement, especially in imparting practical elements of entrepreneurship skills, attitude which are currently somewhat lacking. . These are important for youths to develop in order to be better prepared to make an entrepreneurial contribution to the Maltese and European economy.