Entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical driver of economic growth, innovation, and employment generation, particularly in developing economies. In this context, engineering education is increasingly expected to go beyond technical skill development and contribute to the cultivation of entrepreneurial mindsets. The present study examines the contribution of management courses to entrepreneurial intentions among engineering students in Odisha, with a specific focus on the mediating role of entrepreneurial skills. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from engineering students enrolled in institutions across Odisha through a structured questionnaire. The study employed statistical techniques including descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation testing to examine the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that management courses have a significant positive influence on students’ entrepreneurial intentions, both directly and indirectly. Entrepreneurial skills—such as self-efficacy, leadership, opportunity recognition, and risk-taking ability—were found to play a crucial mediating role in strengthening this relationship. The results underscore the importance of integrating skill-oriented and experiential management education within engineering curricula. By highlighting the relevance of interdisciplinary learning in technical education, the study contributes to entrepreneurship education literature and offers valuable insights for academic institutions and policymakers aiming to promote student entrepreneurship. The study concludes that well-structured management courses can act as effective catalysts in transforming engineering students into potential entrepreneurs, thereby supporting regional and national innovation-led development.
Dr. Satyajit Hotta (Sun,) studied this question.