engleski

Academic service learning program in the function of development of entrepreneurial behaviors of college students

Universities with their educational, research and social performance directly influence the quality of life in communities. However, many Croatian universities focus more on educational and research component, thereby neglecting the responsibility they have toward their community. By supporting entrepreneurship education universities foster the development of entrepreneurial behavior of students and show that they know and can respond to actual social issues, not only through projects referred to community development, but also through programs and courses that educate young people how to become active participants in the process of making positive social changes. Such educational programs, also known as “academic service learning programs“, allow students to transfer knowledge and skills gained in the classroom into practical projects within their communities. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of developing academic service learning programs since such programs reinforce the connection between universities and local communities and encourage the development of a culture in which university education is recognized as a key element in creating an active and social responsible citizenship and sustainable social development. This paper describes the case of the academic service learning course at Faculty of Economics in Osijek which encourages students to stop being passive observers of social phenomena, but instead, through active participation in the community, to have direct impact on solving current social issues and develop skills with which they will ensure successful employment. The project “Contribution to the Community” within the course is an important activity that helps students retain and improve their skills, provides opportunity to explore new options, gives pleasure because of participating in solving community's problems, and contributes to building problem solving capacity. Through benchmark analysis this paper puts an important emphasis on The Oslo Agenda for Entrepreneurship Education in Europe whose aim is to foster entrepreneurial mindset in society through education and learning. Fostering and developing entrepreneurial mindset of students affects both their personal development and the economic and social development of the community they live in. This paper has identified activities that are being implemented and proposed within this Agenda, which can be applicable to Croatian universities as well. The methodology used to identify models used for development of entrepreneurial behaviors of college students is based on a review of literature (entrepreneurship education, knowledge society, academic service learning programs, higher education and economic development) and qualitative studies and recommendations related to supporting students’ active engagement in the community and collaboration between local communities, universities and students

entrepreneurial behavior ; entrepreneurial education ; academic service learning program

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