ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE "PROMOTION OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE PROGRAMS" ON THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS OF THE ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Actually, many programs of promotion of entrepreneurial culture in university students are being developed. These programs aim to improve training in this field and promote entrepreneurship as a way out of self-employment. This work assesses the effect of several entrepreneurial promotion activities on the entrepreneurial intention of the engineering students of the University of Jaen. The activities developed were of varied nature. Visits to the Center of Support to the Entrepreneurial Development (CADE) installations and Geolit Scientific-Technological Park were carried out. During the visits, the CADE and Geolit staff informed about the resources at disposal of the students and advised them about the possibilities they offer in terms of entrepreneurship. In addition, talks and round tables with entrepreneurs, who were former students of the University of Jaen, were developed. They explained their work experience and the advantages and disadvantages of being entrepreneur. Other activities were related to specific technical knowledge of management, business planning, personal skills development and strategies for undertaking. Survey data collected from 120 students before and after the activities indicate that these activities have increased the entrepreneurial intention of the students.