Entrepreneurial knowledge and aspirations of dentistry students in South Africa
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IP Publishing Ltd
Abstract
An investigation of the intentions and knowledge of
entrepreneurship of final-year university dentistry students is reported,
with particular regard to the factors of gender and race. A questionnaire
survey was used with final-year dentistry students, over two years, at the
University of the Western Cape in South Africa. The findings show that
dentistry students across race and gender groups believed that
entrepreneurship education was important. At least half of the students
showed an interest in starting a business practice soon after their
graduation and completion of a mandatory one-year internship, with more
male students indicating an interest in starting a business than female
students. More Black African students indicated interest compared to
other race groups (Coloureds, Whites and Indians). There were no
significant differences between male and female students with regard to
knowledge of entrepreneurship, but there were significant differences with
regard to race in the scores for knowledge of entrepreneurship, with White
students scoring the highest and African students the lowest. The authors
conclude that entrepreneurship education should be included in the
curriculum in the final year of dentistry studies to encourage business
practice start-up soon after the one-year internship period, with the aim of
contributing to growth in employment.
Description
Keywords
Entrepreneurship education, Entrepreneurship intention, Race, Gender, Dentistry students, South Africa
Citation
Brijlal, P & Brijlal, P. (2013). Entrepreneurial knowledge and aspirations of dentistry students in South Africa. Industry & Higher Education, 27 (5): 389–398