POSITIVE EXPERIENCE OF PROJECT-BASED DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the need to develop the soft skills of future professionals through project-based activities in higher education institutions in the international dimension.
 Objective: To describe and substantiate the positive practices of developing soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions in the People's Republic of China in order to utilise the positive experience of this country in reforming Ukrainian education.
 Methods: Theoretical analysis of scientific sources, websites of educational institutions, educational and professional programmes of higher education institutions to determine the key features of the development of soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China.
 Findings: The concepts of soft skills and project-based activities were formulated and clarified, the inhibiting factors of development were identified, and the issue of soft skills development in future specialists in current research on higher education in the People's Republic of China was analysed. The paper describes measures to improve the level of development of soft skills of future specialists in the People's Republic of China and formulates proposals for solving the issue of developing soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities in higher education institutions of Ukraine.
 Conclusions: It was found that the development of soft skills of future specialists through project-based activities is more effective. It was established that the organisation of collective scientific projects and the holding of contests and competitions using practice-oriented tasks for students are effective means of improving the level of soft skills of future specialists in higher education institutions. Reforming curricula and funding and establishing cooperation with industry by the Ministry of Education and Science; professional development of teachers in universities, organisation of additional extracurricular activities using projects; formulating clear goals for project-based learning by teachers, establishing effective cooperation with students, and organising feedback and assessment can be useful in improving the level of soft skills of future specialists in higher education institutions in Ukraine.