Bengaluru: Majority of educational institutions still prefer jobs for their students over entrepreneurship, a report by HirePro said.
HirePro, an AI-powered recruitment automation firm, in the report said while 87% of colleges have implemented in-house programmes to promote entrepreneurship through various initiatives, 63% still prefer their students to focus on securing corporate jobs upon graduation rather than starting their own ventures.
The survey also unveils a multi-faceted approach to entrepreneurship education across colleges.
“36% of institutions offer dedicated courses on entrepreneurship or provide startup semester options, demonstrating a growing emphasis on formal entrepreneurial education. Additionally, 29% of colleges have established centres for innovation, entrepreneurship development cells, or startup incubation facilities, creating ecosystems to nurture budding entrepreneurs,” the report said.
To foster an entrepreneurial spirit and provide practical experience, 28% of colleges organise entrepreneurship competitions, pitch events, and hackathons, providing students with practical experience in the startup ecosystem.
Metro areas and Tier 1 cities show higher engagement with entrepreneurship programmes at 62% and 44%, respectively, it noted. Tier 2 cities lag behind at 27%, it said.
The study highlights a growing recognition of entrepreneurship’s importance in higher education but also reveals a hesitancy to fully commit to nurturing startup culture.
“Only 7% of colleges focus on entrepreneurship awareness programs and mentorship. This tension between promoting entrepreneurial skills and favouring traditional employment paths presents both challenges and opportunities for India’s education sector,” the report said.