THE ORIENTATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION TOWARDS THE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Sustainable development represents one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, but, at the same time, it offers viable opportunities to countries, businesses, and the population, becoming a development model that allows, in an intelligent way, to benefit from economic, social and environmental advantages. Sustainable development goals promoted by the UN, are included on the agenda in many countries, including the Republic of Moldova. Several actions are being taken in the country to direct state strategies and policies toward implementing the SDGs while also noting certain deficiencies in this process. An essential role in this endeavour belongs to higher education institutions, which not only must promote sustainability but must undertake certain actions that will cause a change in this sense within society.

Providing students, who are future entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, will allow them to contribute considerably to familiarizing this concept within the business environment and the population. For these reasons, a study was initiated to identify the level of knowledge of the principles of sustainable development and the current perceptions among students from the Business and Administration study program, Bachelor’s degree, and company representatives. An online questionnaire was distributed among students and practitioners to identify the attitudes, perceptions and knowledge regarding Sustainable Development. The answers provided by students and practitioners will allow us to determine the existing trends and to identify actions for the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova. Identifying existing gaps will allow the adjustment of entrepreneurship education to the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable development.

The study was carried out within the Erasmus+ project “Skills4future – Developing and improving the STEAM skills of students and teachers for curriculum innovation and sustainable development of higher education institutions and local businesses”, no. 101081787