Evaluating Institutional Support for Student Entrepreneurship in the Context of Oman Vision 2040: A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

This study assesses the effectiveness of the strategic and operational interventions undertaken by the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS)–Salalah to promote entrepreneurship among its students from the perspective of student entrepreneurs lived experiences. The research uses a qualitative single-case study research design, within the framework of Oman Vision 2040 that views higher education institutions as drivers of innovation, self-employment, and economic diversification. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews with six student entrepreneurs whose ventures are at the ideation, prototype and operational stages and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Institutional support was found to be most effective in the awareness and founding stages, through workshops, competitions, mentorship, access to laboratory facilities and an encouraging culture, exemplified by student-market events, but comparatively thin in the growth and post-establishment stages. Participants pointed out ongoing challenges such as the absence of advanced specialised entrepreneurship courses, delays in fund disbursement due to bureaucracy, the unfinished incubator, fragmented digital communication, and the lack of structured connections to investors and industry. The most important cross-cutting issue was continuity beyond competitions. The study concludes that UTAS-Salalah has established a credible platform for early-stage entrepreneurship, but that achieving the human-capital aspirations of Oman Vision 2040 will require a re-orientation of support towards venture sustainability, specialised education, streamlined financial operations and stronger external networks. Implications for institutional practice and future research are presented.