THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN SHAPING FINAL-YEAR STUDENTS' CAREER PATHS: A CASE STUDY OF DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY'S FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

This study investigates the Durban University of Technology's (DUT) endeavors in fostering entrepreneurship education. Employing a quantitative research methodology and a survey research design, the study targeted 162 final-year students at DUT, receiving completed questionnaires from 136 respondents, representing an 84% response rate. The purposively selected sample sheds light on students' perceptions of entrepreneurship. The findings underscore a positive inclination towards entrepreneurship among students, highlighting the necessity of reinforcing entrepreneurship education within higher education institutions to cultivate favorable attitudes towards entrepreneurship as a viable career path. Recommendations advocate for the availability of comprehensive entrepreneurship programs across academic institutions, equipping students with requisite knowledge and skills. Practically, this research underscores entrepreneurship's pivotal role in driving economic growth in South Africa, particularly in addressing socio-economic challenges through employment creation. It emphasizes the imperative for robust support for entrepreneurship, positioning entrepreneurship education as a cornerstone for fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. DUT emerges as a significant player in this landscape, fostering an entrepreneurial ethos among graduates and implementing impactful entrepreneurship study programs. This study contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on DUT's role in entrepreneurship education, addressing a gap in current research.