This study explores how classroom teaching practices shape entrepreneurship development among students at private universities in Cumilla, Bangladesh. This is a qualitative research design within an interpretivist paradigm and uses a phenomenological approach to reveal and understand the vivid experiences of students and faculty members in entrepreneurship education. Semi-structured interviews are used to collect data from the undergraduate and graduate business students, as well as faculty members who are directly involved in teaching or supporting entrepreneurship education. This approach allows the study to gain deeper perceptions of the participants’ experiences and views regarding entrepreneurship education. Using thematic analysis, the data were analysed to identify key forms and connotations connected to pedagogical practices and entrepreneurial skill development. The findings reveal that experiential and student-centred teaching approaches, namely problem-based and project-based learning, case studies, industrial attachments, business simulations, and mentorship, play an important role in fostering entrepreneurial competencies, mostly innovative creativity, business planning ability, and collaborative teamwork. At the same time, the study highlights several challenges, including limited practical exposure, constraints in curriculum design, and gaps in faculty training. Participants emphasized the emergence of contextually relevant and practice-oriented teaching-learning techniques to support entrepreneurial learning well. The study contributes by providing in-depth, context-specific insights into entrepreneurship education within a regional setting of Bangladesh. It offers practical suggestions for educators and policymakers by signifying the adoption of more interactive and experiential pedagogies to enhance entrepreneurship development. The findings also suggest updating curriculum and teachers’ training initiatives aimed at fostering a more supportive environment for entrepreneurial growth in higher education.
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