DefinePK

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education often struggles to accommodate local cultural values and the specific needs of communities, particularly in diverse urban environments. This study explored how integrating a place-based approach and the strategic involvement of kyais (religious teachers) can improve entrepreneurship education in urban communities. This motivation arose from the gap in creating sustainable and culturally grounded entrepreneurship programs that reflect local values. Focusing on urban areas in West Java—Bandung, Purwakarta, and Sumedang—this study investigated how local values can be embedded into modern entrepreneurship education. Using descriptive-qualitative methods, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions. Analysis employed thematic, comparative, triangulation, and contextual techniques. The findings indicate that kyais play a crucial role in embedding Islamic values, ethics, and local experiences into the curriculum. In Bandung, kyais emphasize ecocultural education and experiential learning; in Sumedang, they serve as motivators, moral guides, spiritual mentors, social networking facilitators, and community empowerment; Meanwhile, in Purwakarta, they developed an entrepreneurship model aligned with local needs and Islamic principles. This study confirms that implementing a place-based approach and leveraging the role of kyais (Islamic scholars) increases the effectiveness and sustainability of entrepreneurship education in urban communities. By providing empirical evidence from diverse settings in West Java, this study offers a nuanced perspective on adapting entrepreneurship education to local contexts, thereby enhancing its relevance and impact.