The Effectiveness of Computer Laboratories to Enhancing Student Competence in Entrepreneurship-Based Higher Education

Computer laboratories are essential facilities for supporting technology-based learning and enhancing student competencies. While previous studies have examined their benefits from various perspectives, this research introduces novelty by focusing on the effectiveness of computer laboratories in fostering students’ entrepreneurial competencies. The study was conducted in November 2023 at the Institut Teknologi Pertanian (ITP), a school of entrepreneurship. The research employed a descriptive method, with data collected through a questionnaire consisting of 16 items administered to 54 students attending computer laboratory sessions at ITP. The findings indicate that computer laboratories are effective in improving student competencies, with scores in the categories of utilization (69.8%), material relevance (70.8%), knowledge (54.1%), and usage (69.0%). The novelty of this study lies in examining the effectiveness of computer laboratories in a regionally based entrepreneurial higher education institution, differing from earlier studies that primarily focused on secondary schools. The results highlight that computer laboratories serve not only as technical facilities but also as strategic instruments for building digital skills and preparing students for global competition, while providing practical implications for laboratory management in regional higher education institutions