The Development of Entrepreneurial Competences for Students of Mathematics and the Science Subjects: The Latvian Experience

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the development of entrepreneurial competences among Latvian students in mathematics and in the science subjects, as well as to indicate how recent graduates have evaluated their knowledge and skill s in the various fields of endeavour at university. The research methodology implemented for this study is a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. To assess the opportunities for development of entrepreneurial competences among students, a survey and analysis was undertaken of a broad range of educational and subject curricula, teaching/learning materials and of the academic performance results of graduates. The results of this study have revealed that, in Latvia, there is a unified system of methodological materials that has been worked out in four subject areas, and which provides the potential to devel op the entrepreneurial competences of students. The survey results of recent university graduates reflect that, in general, while graduates (new teachers) in Latvian universities are mostly well prepared in accord with present-day labour market challenges, nevertheless, serious improvements are still necessary in regard to the process of entrepreneurship education