Entrepreneurial and Defeatist Thinking Patterns among Sudanese University Students during National Crises: A Quantitative Analytical Study

This study analyzes the entrepreneurial versus defeatist thinking patterns among Sudanese university students in the context of intensified national crises—political, economic, and security-related. An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 182 students across various Sudanese universities, both inside and outside the country. The tool included a 5-point Likert scale measuring mindset indicators, along with open-ended questions regarding students’ entrepreneurial ideas and the barriers preventing their realization. Results showed a general inclination toward entrepreneurial thinking despite constraints, while defeatist tendencies appeared mainly in relation to insecurity and lack of institutional support. The study recommends launching national programs to support student entrepreneurs and developing youth platforms that enable idea-to-project transformation.