Entrepreneurship in Vocational Training:
Comparative Analysis of Institutional Strategies in Three Higher Education Institutions in Medellín, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61454/5chd2s09Keywords:
Entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education, professional training, entrepreneurial culture, universities, Latin AmericaAbstract
Entrepreneurship in higher education represents a fundamental strategic axis for economic and social development in Latin America. This article examines the entrepreneurship and innovation strategies implemented in three public higher education institutions in Medellín: the Colegio Mayor de Antioquia University Institution (IUCMA), the Pascual Bravo University Institution (IUPB), and the Metropolitan Technological Institute (ITM). Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten institutional leaders and a survey was administered to 119 members of the academic community, allowing for the documentation of institutional policies, organizational structures, curricular integration, and perceptions of impact. The findings reveal that, although there is significant consensus on the strategic importance of entrepreneurship, deep gaps persist between policy formulation and effective implementation. It was identified that institutions with consolidated units, a budget allocation of more than 2.5%, and systematized processes achieve greater coverage and impact than those without these structural conditions. A comparative analysis with universities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico shows that Colombia is in a state of moderate development. It is concluded that the effective transition from policy to practice requires explicit budgetary decisions, dedicated organizational structures, and cross-curricular integration, all of which are critical for the development of a true entrepreneurial culture in Latin American higher education.
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