To date, the Malaysian government has implemented numerous strategies to encourage entrepreneurial activities among university graduates, aiming to equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and mindset to establish competitive and viable businesses. However, the number of graduates embarking on entrepreneurship remains low, despite the implementation of various efforts as they considered it a waste of time. Given the growing unemployment rate in the nation due to the unpromising economic situation in the post-COVID-19 era, it is essential to foster entrepreneurial activities among the undergraduate students. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to assess students' knowledge and tolerance of entrepreneurship-related issues in relation to their own entrepreneurial interests and traits. Data was gathered from the self-administered questionnaires distributed to students enrolled in the Diploma in Plantation and Agrotechnology and Diploma in Business Administration programs. A total of 252 undergraduate students responded to the survey. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between self-assessed knowledge and the level of acceptance of entrepreneurship-related issues, which in turn influenced students' entrepreneurial interests and traits. The top entrepreneurial interests and traits possessed by the students were found to be open-mindedness, working well with others, self-motivation, and competitiveness. This information is expected to be useful for the university in developing entrepreneurship programs, with the ultimate aim of providing additional entrepreneurial education and promoting students to venture out and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Future research could explore any similarities or differences in entrepreneurial interests and traits among students in other programs which would provide valuable insights to the government and university.
Bae, T. J., Qian, S., Miao, C., & Fiet, J. O. (2014). The Relationship Between Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Meta-Analytic Review. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 38(2), 217–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12095
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2022). Department of Statistics Malaysia Press Release: Graduates Statistics 2021.
Fitzsimmons, J. R., & Douglas, E. J. (2011). Interaction Between Feasibility and Desirability in the Formation of Entrepreneurial Intentions.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. (2022). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2021/2022 Global Report: Opportunity Amid Disruption.
http://www.witchwoodhouse.comBBRDesignhttps://bbrdesign.co.uk
Hazirah, T., Hamiruzzaman, T., Ahmad, N., & Ayob, N. A. (2020). Entrepreneurial Intentions among Undergraduate Students in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). In Journal of Administrative Science (Vol. 17). http:jas.uitm.edu.my
Heinonen, J., & Poikkijoki, S. A. (2006). An entrepreneurial-directed approach to entrepreneurship education: Mission impossible? Journal of Management Development, 25(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710610637981
Linan, F., & Chen, Y.-W. (2009). Development and Cross-Cultural Application of a Specific Instrument to Measure Entrepreneurial Intentions.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025. www.moe.gov.my
Osmani, M. W., Hindi, N., Al-Esmail, R., & Weerakkody, V. (2017). Examining graduate skills in accounting and finance: the perception of Middle Eastern students. Industry and Higher Education, 31(5), 318–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422217721759
Rajaendram, R., & Menon, S. (2022). Entrepreneurship Helps Malaysian Students Cope with Tough Employment Market.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2022/08/14/sweet-success
SME Corporation Malaysia. (2016). SME Annual Report 2015/2016.
Zhao, H., Seibert, S. E., & Lumpkin, G. T. (2010). The relationship of personality to entrepreneurial intentions and performance: A meta-analytic review. In Journal of Management (Vol. 36, Issue 2, pp. 381–404).
https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309335187
