The role of the startup competition and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the integration of entrepreneurship education within the Algerian universities

Abstract

The integration of entrepreneurship education has changed the role of the university by creating a bridge between university and industry. The public university is facing now the internationalization environment, especially with the privatization of the higher education sector. Moreover, enhancing innovation and the entrepreneurial culture became the barrier entry for this public university. Unfortunately, this academic organization has to face new challenge instead to develop their position. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is a great opportunity to adopt a competitive behavior in the regional, national and international innovation system. In addressing this research gap, this paper provides a case study of Algerian public universities. The authors use a qualitative interview with facilitators implicated in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Those had organized and animated the startup competition within the Algerian universities. Thus, the paper offers insights into how the university enables actors to address the challenge of internal factors and external factors to use the best pedagogical practices in teaching entrepreneurship and enhancing innovation culture.