The Effect of Quality of Learning Experiences and Academic Competency of Students on Entrepreneurship Capacity of Master Students of Faculty of Literature and Humanities of Shiraz University

One of the important goals and tasks followed by higher education system in each country is training specialized manpower, required by society. Despite efforts made by universities and higher education institutes, university graduates have not been of required efficiency to be appointed for concerned jobs, due to educational methods and contents not fitting the society’s requirement. The research has been performed to the aim of studying effect of quality of learning experiences and academic competence on entrepreneurship capabilities of university students.

This applied research in terms of objective is considered as a descriptive-correlational research, as far as its nature and type are concerned. Statistical population of the research included all Shiraz University students, studying in “faculty of literature and human sciences” in academic year of 2018-2019. To determine statistical sample size (295 individuals), Krejcie-Morgan table (1970) has been used. To select statistical samples of the research, stratified random sampling has been used with consideration of students studying in various departments. Learning experience questionnaire by Newman (1990); Academic Competence Evaluation Scales (ACES) by Eliot and DiPerna (2000); and, entrepreneurship capability by Zandi (2013) have been uses as research tools.

According to research findings, quality of learning experiences and academic competence of students has effect on their entrepreneurship capability. Other results have been indicating that from among components of quality of learning experiences, content, resources, and flexibility components have significant effect on entrepreneurship capabilities; however, relationship as a component has not much effect on entrepreneurship capability as a variable. Also, other results showed that from among components of academic competence, reading, calculation, obsession in class, educational motivation, and study skills have significant effect on entrepreneurship capabilities; however, components of interpersonal skills and critical thinking have not much effect on entrepreneurship capability as a variable.

Considering results obtained from the research, necessity of improving quality of learning experiences and academic competence of student has to be taken into consideration by higher education institutes. In this respect, higher education system is expected to train specialized manpower; while, it has to take action for growth of science and knowledge as a social requirement. Also it has to put emphasis on and take into consideration improving quality of learning experiences as an effective factor on increase of entrepreneurship capability of students.