Student Soft Skills Research Articles

The Role of Organizations in Developing Students' Soft Skills at UKM SINTALARAS UNM

The Student Activity Unit for Environmental Lovers at Makassar State University is one of the organizations within the scope of Makassar State University which is very important to know about its role in developing the soft skills of its members. Data obtained through interviews with 9 informants were divided into 3 types, namely key informants, namely alumni, expert informants, namely demissioners, then additional informants, namely administrators. The aim of this research is to determine the role of student organizations in developing student soft skills in the Student Activity Unit for Environmental Lovers at Makassar State University. The results of the research show that the Makassar State University Student Activities Unit for Environmental Lovers in Harmony has a role in developing the soft skills of students who are members of this organization. Activities in the Student Activity Unit organization for Environmental Lovers at Makassar State University indirectly develop the soft skills of students who are members of this organization.

Development of Soft Skills in Entrepreneurship Education: an Approach Based on Experiential Learning Theory

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of entrepreneurship education on the development of soft skills in students, using experiential learning theory (ELT) as a foundation to foster these skills through active practices. Theoretical Framework: The study is based on Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory and active learning models. These theories provide a solid foundation for understanding how learning occurs through experience, emphasizing the development of soft skills. Method: The research follows a qualitative and exploratory approach, with data collection based on bibliographic review and participant observation. The study was conducted in entrepreneurship courses, focusing on the observation of students' soft skills through the application of Kolb’s experiential learning cycle. Results and Discussion: The results show that the application of ELT in entrepreneurship education promotes the development of soft skills. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed in light of experiential learning theory, highlighting the importance of an active approach to education. Research Implications: The research has important implications for the fields of education and entrepreneurship, suggesting that experiential teaching can be an effective tool for developing essential behavioral skills for the labor market. Originality/Value: The study contributes by demonstrating the applicability of ELT in entrepreneurship education, addressing the gap between traditional teaching and the need to develop soft skills in academic contexts.

Paideia Patristic Education

The acquisition of soft skills is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of higher education, essential for preparing students to meet the challenges of the modern workforce. This study investigates the process of acquiring soft skills through Paideia Patristic Education (PPE) in universities in Machakos County, Kenya. This quantitative study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the PPE framework in promoting key soft skills such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and flexibility. Purposive sampling technique was used to target specific faculty members and students. Data was collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The study's results show that PPE has a positive effect on students' soft skills, particularly in enhancing their ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate. Universities in Machakos County and beyond should strongly consider incorporating Paideia Patristic Education principles into their curricula. This would help cultivate crucial soft skills in students, better equipping them for the challenges of the contemporary job market.

Favorite Lecturer Characters of Elementary Education Teacher Prospective Students

This research aims to discover the character aspects of lecturers most preferred by Elementary education students and the impacts and implications on the character of prospective teacher students. The method used in this research is qualitative field research with phenomena studies. Primary data were obtained from students through a questionnaire using a form instrument and unstructured interviews with an open pattern. The results showed that of the 13 aspects of lecturer character that were the most favored aspects of prospective Elementary School teacher students mapped from lecturer personality and educational competencies, namely lecturers who were able to place themselves, had high self-confidence, were tolerant, and understood students' character. The impact on students is increased motivation and self-confidence, more positive relationships, increased academic achievement, and development of student soft skills. The implications of the character of a favorite lecturer for the character of prospective teacher students are the formation of an Inclusive Learning environment, increased student psychological well-being, and strengthening of a positive academic culture.

Мягкие навыки: концепции, проблемы, исследования

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The work is aimed at clarifying the concept of “soft skills”. The materials of the study of concepts, problems, and research of soft skills in a professional environment are presented. The topic of soft skills is extremely relevant, both Russian and foreign students do not exactly understand what soft skills are, which may be explained by the fact that there is currently no single approach to understanding them. The purpose of studying this problem is to review concepts, problems and research on the topic of soft skills in foreign and national scientific literature. The results obtained make it possible to say that soft skills is a broad concept, and does not include a strictly defined list of qualities or abilities. There is evidence that researchers attribute a different set of abilities to soft skills, while different abilities will be most significant for different professional fields. Separately, such abilities can be distinguished as: communication skills, leadership position, decision-making skills, responsibility, empathy, self-esteem, critical thinking, analytical thinking, emotional intelligence (often assessed as part of soft skills in foreign studies). The most effective methods for developing soft skills include: methods for early development, educational tasks related to information search and analysis, critical thinking development, self-management (including the formulation of action plans), teamwork skills, and the presence of social and humanitarian disciplines (“Philosophy" and "Sociology”), as well as specialized courses such as “Team Building” and “Time Management”. It is also emphasized that the level of soft skills development among teachers is important for fostering soft skills in students.</span></p>

Assessment of the Impact of Socio-Cultural Risks of Soft Skills Formation in Different Educational Environments for SDG’S

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to summarise and update the impact of socio-cultural risks on the formation of Soft Skills in students in the educational environment for sustainable development goals. Theoretical Framework. The article provides an overview of the main trends in assessing the impact of socio-cultural risks on the formation of various soft skills of students. The authors analyse the main risks associated with the development of the socio-cultural environment. Results and Discussion. The main factor in counteracting risks is the development of universal soft skills that can significantly increase the effectiveness of future professionals in the modern world. This article aims to identify the impact of socio-cultural risks on the development of soft skills in students in the context of the educational environment. Research Implications. The identification of this influence is the main novelty of the study, as it highlights not only the skills themselves, but also the way in which the educational environment can contribute to their formation. The authors emphasise the need to assess the potential of the educational environment to develop sustainable skills needed to overcome modern challenges. Originality/Value. Thus, this article expands the understanding of the impact of socio-cultural risks on the formation of soft skills in students, and emphasises the importance of developing these skills to overcome the challenges of our time, making it an important contribution to the field of soft skills research in pedagogical practice.

Soft skills: students and employers crave

This study focuses on soft skills – over-professional competencies that are assessed on a par with professional competencies in today’s world, including for employment purposes. At ITMO University these skills are taught as a separate block of compulsory subjects for students’ choice. The aim of the research was to find out whether teaching soft skills meets the requirements of their future employers. For this purpose, an analysis of vacancies on a popular job search platform was conducted, followed by a public opinion survey of both students and employers. A large-scale study of graduates’ experiences and the labor market in Russia and the Northwestern Federal District in particular was conducted. All the results of the three phases of the work were used to draw conclusions about the development of the study and the application of the results. In general, it was shown that the trajectory of learning and development of soft skills in students should be supported, and future employers appreciate this experience in actual work.

The Role of Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program on Students' Soft Skills: An Observational Study of Students in Jambi City, Indonesia

The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program was launched by the Indonesian government with the aim of improving the quality of higher education and preparing graduates who are competent in the world of work. One important aspect that is expected to be improved through this program is student soft skills. This research aims to examine in depth the role of MBKM in the development of student soft skills in Jambi City, Indonesia. This research used an observational approach involving 350 students from various universities in Jambi City who participated in the MBKM program. Data was collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively and quantitatively to explore a comprehensive understanding of the impact of MBKM on student soft skills. The research results show that MBKM has a significant role in improving the soft skills of students in Jambi City. Participation in various MBKM activities, such as internships, humanitarian projects, and student exchanges, provides opportunities for students to develop communication skills, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. Apart from that, MBKM also helps students increase their self-confidence, independence, and ability to adapt to new environments. The MBKM program has proven effective in improving the soft skills of students in Jambi City. These findings provide empirical evidence that supports the importance of the MBKM program in preparing graduates who not only have academic competencies, but also the soft skills needed in the world of work. The implications of this research can be used as a basis for developing higher education policies that are more effective in improving the quality of graduates.

Unemployed Biotechnology Graduates: Need of Modernization of Education and Training in Tunisia

Biotechnology is a priority higher education and economical sector for Tunisia. However, there is an ever-increasing unemployment rate of the biotechnology graduates in the country. Indeed, this huge problem warrants immediate attention and necessary actions from various stakeholders. This study presents the results of a benchmarking visit, which was arranged by Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) in Finland, as part of 'BiotechTunisia' Erasmus+ project entitled ‘Modernization of Biotechnology training for better employability of graduates in Tunisia’. There are four Tunisian and three European partners in this project that leads to modernization of skills of teachers, researchers, and students to improve employment and opportunities for entrepreneurship of young graduates in Tunisia. The project aims to modernize the education and the scientific research in the biotechnology field. During this benchmarking visit, Tunisian partners attended seminars, workshops, visited advanced learning facilities, participated to many group discussions, learned about teacher tutoring concept, and student counselling method. Delegation learned about new learning methodologies, pedagogy, and soft skills of students, which could be replicated in their home country education system. The benchmarking visit is seen as an opportunity for Tunisian partners to transfer the good practices from Finland to their home country. Tunisian delegates agree that the learnings could have a positive impact in their education system in coming years towards modernization of education and training of biotechnology students.

The Challenges of Anticorruption Education in Universities

This study aims to describe about anti-corruption education in the learning curriculum of 2 undergraduate accounting study programs that are accredited A or Excellent at 2 universities in Central Java. This study uses descriptive analysis by taking research data from the official university website. The results of the study show that the two study programs consider anti-corruption education to be important in teaching students and needs to be integrated into the curriculum through compulsory courses, general activities such as seminars, and training to strengthen student soft skills. On the website, several matters related to anti-corruption education have been published, such as the vision and mission, curriculum, and news about general anti-corruption activities. The challenge going forward in the implementation of anti-corruption education lies in the integration of anti-corruption values into students, the specifications of courses that discuss anti-corruption education, and moral education in facing the 4.0 industrial revolution era to produce graduates with high integrity.

The Development of Student Soft Skills through the Integration of PJBL STEAM Learning in The Organic Chemistry 1 Topic of Hydrocarbons

This research aims to improve students' soft skills in facing the 21st century, making learning more interesting and enjoyable so that the quality of human resources becomes better. This study explores how integrating Project-Based Learning (PjBL) with the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) approach can improve students' soft skills in Organic Chemistry 1, specifically focusing on the topic of hydrocarbons. The research subjects were students taking Organic Chemistry 1 courses in the odd semester of the 2022/2023 academic year. This type of research is qualitative research with data collection techniques in the form of interviews, field observations, and reflective journals. The STEAM approach, encompassing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, is implemented through a six-stage learning process, namely providing essential questions, making a project plan, preparing a project schedule, monitoring students and project progress, assessing/testing results, and providing student experience. The research results show that students like project learning using the STEAM approach with an average questionnaire response result of 89.14% with very good criteria. 36% of students experienced problems when making project planning assignments in finding interesting ideas related to organic chemistry 1 material using the STEAM approach. The integration of STEAM in project-based learning can develop students' soft skills.

Computer-based games in project management education: A review

The work-readiness of Project Management (PM) graduates has been highly discussed topic during the last decade. Employers consistently seek graduates capable of thriving in the ever-changing, intricate, and challenging project environment. Computer-based games offer the potential to replicate real-life project environment, allowing students to learn how to navigate the challenges posed by projects. PM higher education has started to utilise computer-based games in the curriculum to improve highly sought after technical and soft skills of students. While significant studies have been conducted on gamification within PM, the review of their contributions and key characteristics has been missing, hence, necessitating this study. This study explores the research trends and contributions of publications related to computer-based games in PM higher education. As a result, it provides valuable insights and recommendations for educators, game designers and researchers to effectively integrate computer-based games within PM higher education. The findings of this review hold value for educators aiming to use computer-based games as an integrated learning concept, game developers striving to create more effective games and researchers interested in indulging deeper into the realm of computer-based games for PM.

Enhancing professional growth: Exploring the development of soft skills in students for quality improvement

Relevance. In modern education, there is a great demand for the release of highly professional specialists who will cooperate and build constructive relationships with others, solve problems, and have unified skills or soft skills. The soft skills group includes a large group of skills that do not depend on training programmes, but have a great impact on the professional growth of a person and the successful development of solid professional skills.Purpose. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate the problem of the development of soft skills in higher school students in the process of fostering their professional qualities, and to identify and create conditions (methods or courses) under which the complex development of soft skills of students will be provided.Methodology. The research methods chosen were questionnaires, surveys, psychological diagnostic methods, and the rank standardisation method.Results. The findings of the study determined which soft skills students need to develop (understanding of management, development of self-control and self-realisation, development of leadership and communicative qualities), and in which area. In addition, the state of development of these skills in students of higher educational institutions and the ways of their development were diagnosed. Moreover, scientific and methodological foundations were created for the development of soft skills in the educational process.Conclusions. In the course of the study, a model for the development of soft skills and a course programme were created that can be introduced into the educational process of higher education in order to develop high professional qualities. The results of the study, the model and the course can be used in further research on this problem.

TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVE OF SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN BUSINESS STUDIES

Education and employment stakeholders worldwide have increasingly acknowledged the need to teach students soft skills to improve their academic performance and long-term prospects. Soft skills are transferable across jobs and industries and related to personal and social competencies. Their development aims to empower and increase personal growth and learning participation and improve job opportunities. Given their central role in shaping students’ educational experiences, teachers must be well-versed in the value of cultivating soft skills and awareness of the necessity to incorporate their study into various curricular frameworks. As a result, this article investigates whether business schools adequately prepare their students for the soft skills demanded by today’s labor market. Business teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the subjects of the survey. The findings indicate that teachers recognize the value of teaching students soft skills but that current curricula may be strengthened in this area.

Factors influencing the development of future social workers’ soft skills

The article is devoted to the study of the impact on the development of future social workers’ social skills (soft skills). It is emphasized that today in the Ukrainian society, as a result of geopolitical, economic, demographic changes, as well as the state of war in the country, the level of expectations regarding creative solutions to various social problems by social workers and fast, clear and high-quality provision of social services has significantly increased. Citizens need prompt social support and trustful communicative interaction in social groups. The study used these research methods: analysis and generalisation of normative, psychological, pedagogical and sociological sources alongside educational and scientific programmes of Ukrainian higher education institutions on the investigated problem, including questionnaires intended for future social workers. The article identifies groups of soft skills that are considered by Ukrainian and foreign scholars, as well as by students themselves, as the most relevant for successful social work. We understand soft skills as the skills, abilities and characteristics that allow you to be competitive and successful in your professional activity. The essence of the factors influencing the development of social skills in students in higher education institutions is determined. The factors influencing the development of social skills of a future social worker are understood as the factors of objective and subjective nature belonging to the external and internal environment within which a student exists during curricular and extracurricular activities in a higher education institution; the ones which give impetus to the acquisition or improvement of certain soft skills in order to achieve a productive result in social activities. The external (global challenges and crises in the political, economic, technological, social, value-related, and educational spheres of society's functioning) and internal (ethical and moral life values, mental and motivational orientations, internal readiness for future social activities, social orientation to work with people, individual and personal development, intellectuality, level of professional competence, available experience of social work) factors of soft skills development in future social workers are substantiated and characterised. In the course of summarising the results of the analysis of the studied issues, it was concluded that it is necessary to take into account a set of factors of influence during the educational process in a higher education institution, since different factors actualise the development of different soft skills in students.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLTEACHERS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES LESSONS

The aim of the article is to reveal the potential of the academic discipline Foreign Language for Special Purposes (FLFSP) in the development of soft skills of future primary school teachers. The objectives of the study are to analyze scientific sources on the topic of the research; to identify the soft skills important for future primary school teachers; to present a lesson sample of how learning FLFSP can contribute to the development of soft skills in students. The research methods that are used in the article include the method of critical analysis of scientific literature – to analyze scientific sources on the problem under study and identify the most important soft skills; the method of studying and summarizing the positive experience of the development of students’ soft skills while learning FLFSP – to provide a sample lesson. The research has revealed that the most important soft skills that Ukrainian future primary school teachers should possess are: communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, decision making, initiative, critical thinking and creativity. The academic discipline Foreign Language for Special Purposes has a significant potential in the development of the soft skills mentioned. Studying this discipline involves a combination of different forms of organizing students’ learning activities in the classroom (individual, pair and group work), a combination of interrelated speech activities (listening, reading, speaking, and writing), teaching methods (role play, group debates, discussion, project work, public speaking, maintaining a blog or a discussion forum), and educational materials. The analysis of the impact of different methods of teaching a foreign language on the development of students’ soft skills may be a promising direction for future studies.

Development of Learning Models in Core Competency Practice Courses Department of Mechanical Engineering Education Manado State University

The learning process obtained from universities to develop students' soft skills is also influenced by practical experience in the field. To develop soft skills in students, they have been given theories and practices that support the lessons in higher education, so that students have experience that can be used as a basis when entering the world of work. This research aims to develop a practical learning model in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Education, Manado State University. This research is developing research to develop a practical learning model. The online practice development model uses six interactions, namely interactions between students and lecturers, students with material, lecturers with material, students with students, lecturers with other lecturers, and material with material, through synchronous/asynchronous media. The results of this research show that the product developed is very suitable to be implemented to support online practical learning for core courses in higher education. This research has produced an online learning model for core subject practice with a flexible blended learning strategy at a low cost for students of the Mechanical Engineering Education Study Program. The resulting conclusion is that this model has the advantage of being able to create an online collaborative work environment. Validation by experts is carried out qualitatively and quantitatively.

Predicting Student's Soft Skills Based on Socio-Economical Factors: An Educational Data Mining Approach

Recent changes in the labor market and higher education sector have made graduates' employability a priority for researchers, governments, and employers in developed and emerging nations. There is, however, still a dearth of study about whether graduate students acquire the employability skills that businesses want of them because of their higher education. To determine a student's future employment and career path, it is critical to evaluate their soft skills. An emerging area called educational data mining (EDM) aims to gather enormous volumes of academic data produced and maintained by educational institutions and to derive explicit and specific information from it. This paper aims to predict students' soft skills such as professional, analytical, linguistic, communication, and ethical skills, based on their socio-economic, academic, and institutional data by leveraging data mining methods and machine learning techniques. All five soft skills were predicted using prediction models created using linear regression, probabilistic neural networks, and simple regression tree techniques. This study used a dataset from an open source that Universidad Technologica de Bolivar published. It covers academic, social, and economic data for 12,411 students. The experimental results demonstrated that the linear regression algorithm performed better than the others in predicting all five soft skills compared to machine learning methods. This finding can assist higher education institutions in making informed decisions, providing tailored support, enhancing student success and employability, and continuously modifying their programs to meet the needs of students.

The Impact of the Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Program in Improving Student Competence

One of the objectives of the MBKM program is to improve the competence of hard skills and soft skills of students. This study aims to determine the impact of the MBKM program in improving student competencies. This research uses a qualitative method with a case study design. The subjects of this study were UMS Accounting Education students class of 2019 and 2020 who participated in the MBKM program and Accounting Education lecturers. The object of this research is the MBKM program and the impact of the MBKM learning program on improving the competence of UMS Accounting Education students. Data collection techniques using interviews and documentation. Data validity techniques used are source triangulation and technique triangulation. Data analysis techniques by means of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of this study indicate that students and lecturers are aware of the MBKM program. Before the MBKM program, UMS Accounting Education already had programs similar to MBKM. Students and lecturers who participate in the MBKM program argue that this MBKM program can improve soft skills and hard skills, as well as competencies as a provision for students for life after graduating from college, and can increase the capacity and competence of lecturers. Thus, the MBKM program is expected to produce competitive graduates.

STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF GRADUATES OF PRIVATE ISLAMIC SECONDARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AT MUHAMMADIYAH BOARDING SCHOOL (MBS) KI BAGUS HADIKUSUMO

This study aims to examine and reveal the Strategy for Improving the Quality of Graduates of Islamic Secondary Institutions using the measurement standards in the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No.4 of 2022 concerning National Education Standards. Of course the birth of a private Islamic secondary institution Muhammadiyah Boarding school Ki Bagus Hadikusumo in order to provide reinforcement on Islamic values to students must have a strategy in improving the quality of its graduates. The literature review related to this topic explains the definition of graduate quality, standardization of graduate quality in Indonesia, characteristics of quality education, strategies to improve the quality of education, obstacles to improving the quality of education and solutions to improve the quality of education. A descriptive qualitative design was implemented and conducted at Islamic secondary institutions in Indonesia. Data collection techniques were naturalistic using observation, structured interviews, questionnaires, document review and documentation. The results of his research explain that private secondary institutions carry out strategies to change and reform the implementation of education in Muhammadiyah Boarding schools some of what they do is (1) developing the curriculum including presenting lessons and study systems in general, (2) procuring facilities and infrastructure that are very adequate for the development of learning and honing creativity and soft skills of students, (3) developing human resources for educators and education personnel. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the strategy of improving the quality of graduates of the private Islamic secondary institution Muhammadiyah Boarding school Ki Bagus Hadikusumo runs in accordance with the strategies implemented by every Islamic secondary institution in Indonesia guided by the minimum standards or standards listed in the Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No.4 of 2022 concerning National Education Standards.