Development of communication competency for civil engineering students

Abstract

This study is specifically aimed at: (i) assessing the communication competencies of engineering students; (ii) identifying important communication skills needed for engineering students; and (iii) ensuring the types of effective teaching and learning activities to develop communication skills of engineering students. The implementation of the study refers to this quantitative-descriptive approach presenting a survey which includes the main activities, namely literature study, primary data collection and analyse, conclusions and recommendations formulation. Analysis is carried out based on information obtained from respondents. Furthermore, data processing is done by using descriptive methods that provide simple and understandable data presentation for the reader by describing or giving information about a data or situation or phenomenon. The survey findings indicate the adequacy of communication training from a curriculum that integrates communication in various core civil engineering courses. The results of the study also showed that team work and oral presentations were the most important factors for civil engineering students and for their future career development. They also place the greatest emphasis on teaching and learning activities that aim to prepare them to take part in the industrial world later.