Extracurricular activities and social entrepreneurial leadership of graduating youth in universities from the Middle East

Abstract

We examine the role that extracurricular activities and student-led activity clubs at institutions of higher education play in the development of social entrepreneurial competences of the graduating youth in emerging market settings. Relying on a single case study approach, we adopt a narrative inquiry into the journey of an undergraduate student in the UAE who longed to build a sense of community at his university aimed at generating positive social spillovers. Our study demonstrates the critical role that the sanction-free university environment plays in the activation of social entrepreneurial behaviors and intentions of students in the UAE. Decision makers are urged to reconceptualize the educational institution as a place of not just learning, but also practicing the entrepreneurial skills of the future generation of social leaders. Students who get exposed to practical activities during their studies have an edge in the labor market due to greater employability skills. Universities that invest in social entrepreneurship education contribute to the development of social leaders of tomorrow and also attract more scholarships through their strengthened network of alumni. Our qualitative inquiry seeks to stimulate more scholarly interest in conducting culturally relevant research on student-led social entrepreneurship endeavors in the context of Middle Eastern universities.