Arabian Gulf University (AGU) Researcher Ms. Mathayel Falah Al Ajmi conducted a study to predict entrepreneurial skills among gifted students in the secondary stage. The thesis, which was submitted to obtain a PhD of philosophy in gifted education, discussed the results and made recommendations for the development of these skills.
The research sample consisted of 188 gifted students from all grades in the secondary stage at the Sabah Al Ahmad Centre for Giftedness and Creativity during the academic year 2022-2023. The study utilised a predictive descriptive approach, specifically multiple regression analysis, to answer the research questions and achieve its objectives. To measure the variables, four different scales were used; the entrepreneurial skills scale, the emotional intelligence scale, the creative self-efficacy scale, and the openness to experience scale.
The findings of the study revealed that the entrepreneurial skills of gifted students can be predicted based on their creative self-efficacy and openness to experience. Additionally, statistically significant gender differences were observed in emotional intelligence, creative self-efficacy and openness to experience, with these variables favouring gifted females. Cluster analysis also identified three sub-clusters within the research sample of gifted students, based on their starting point related to the research variables.
In light of these findings, Ms. Al Ajmi emphasised the importance of enhancing emotional intelligence among gifted individuals, as it contributes to their overall development and helps them overcome obstacles that may hinder the realisation of their skills. She also called for school officials to play an active role in directing gifted students towards entrepreneurship by providing programmes that enhance their entrepreneurial skills and linking them to resources that can support their decision-making.
Recommendations were made to provide various services that aid in the development of emotional intelligence among gifted individuals, while also emphasising the need for guidance programmes that attract these individuals towards realising their ideas and projects for the benefit of society.
Furthermore, it was suggested that a strategy be developed at the state level to support entrepreneurship, involving collaboration between the government, state agencies and schools to provide seminars, activities, associations and centres that contribute to the development of entrepreneurial skills in all fields. Additionally, training courses addressing all aspects of entrepreneurial skills, emotional intelligence, creative self-efficacy and openness to experience should be provided to gifted individuals.
The study was supervised by Professor of Gifted Education and Thinking Education Prof. Fatema Ahmed Al Jasim, with assistance from Associate Professor of Gifted Education Dr Ahmed Al Abbasi. Professor of Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics Prof. Alaaeldin Abdelhamed Ayoub, served as the internal examiner, while Professor of Gifted Education at the College of Education at King Faisal University Prof. Abdullah bin Muhammad Aljughaiman, was the external examiner.
