Departmental attrition data from one state show that the difference between male and female rates of undergraduate attrition from computer science varies by institution. This analysis suggests that departmental factors are important in attrition from CS. Some CS departments inhibit female persistence at the undergraduate level while other departments promote persistence. The observed variation encourages research that compares departmental characteristics such as structure and culture, and relates them to departmental outcomes. Shifting the research focus to departmental characteristics and outcomes will identify effective methods for retaining women. 1.1 Keywords undergraduate education, gender, retention, attrition 2.

The under-representation and poor retention of women in computing courses at Victoria University is a concern that has continued to defy all attempts to resolve it. Despite a range of initiatives created to encourage participation and improve retention of females in the courses, the percentage of female enrolments has declined significantly in recent years, from 32 % in 1994 to 18 % in 2004, while attrition rates soared to 40 % in 2003. A recent research study investigated these negative trends with respect to gender equity in computing courses: of interest was the possibility of gender bias in the learning environment and its impact on female attrition rates. Focus groups and surveys involving computing students of both genders were used as data collection tools in the study. The overall findings from the focus groups were rather surprising, as they yielded no strong indication of gender bias in the learning environment of the computing course; this applied to the logistical arrangements, academic staff, pedagogical methods, and course content. The thesis that the existence of gender bias in the learning environment contributes to high attrition rates of females in computing courses was not sufficiently supported. While the fact that students, both male and female, found their learning environment gender neutral was comforting, the realization

Literature relating to personality and entrepreneurship has focused primarily on personality characteristics of traditional entrepreneurs. The focus of this study was on personality characteristics and temperaments of potential Information and Communication Technology (ICT) entrepreneurs. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of personality characteristics as identifiers of potential ICT entrepreneurship. The personality characteristics of the participants were measured on the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, a proven research instrument. Two entrepreneurial tests were used to determine entrepreneurial ability. The temperament of the individuals was ascertained and compared to their entrepreneurial ability. The population sample used for this study was comprised of third year and honours information systems students from the University of Cape Town and current ICT entrepreneurs. A positive relationship between the rational and idealist temperaments and potential ICT entrepreneurs was found. No significant relationship between specific personality types and potential entrepreneurial ability were evident in the study. A positive connection was noticed between potential ICT entrepreneurs and being male. Unfortunately the number of female respondents was insufficien to lead to a conclusive result.