Factors Affecting Entrepreneurship Education Among Students of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Shahrekord University

Today, entrepreneurship education is needed in universities for progress, production and development. In recent years, the growing unemployment of educated people in the fields of agriculture and natural resources has caused great concern for individuals and society. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting entrepreneurship education of agricultural and natural resources students at Shahrekord University. This research is a descriptive-correlational research. The statistical population of this study included all incoming students of the faculties of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Earth Sciences of Shahrekord University in the academic years 2014-18 (N = 2000). To determine the statistical sample size using Cochranchr('39')s formula, 322 students were selected as the sample. Data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity was reviewed and confirmed by the professor of the management department of Payame Noor University of Khansar. To measure the reliability of the questionnaire, the method of calculating Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficients was calculated using SPSS software version 23 and showed an acceptable Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient (a= 0.70-0.86). Inferential statistics and structural equations were used to analyze the data using Amos software. Findings showed that empirical learning, information and communication technology, risk-taking and entrepreneurial characteristics of the learner directly and indirectly affect entrepreneurship education. Therefore, universities should pay attention to the importance of factors affecting entrepreneurship education and make more use of experiential learning and information and communication technology in entrepreneurship education.