scholarly journals Leading students towards a new soft-skills perspective: development for employment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 283-296
Author(s):  
ALMA SHEHU LOKAJ ◽  
Vehbi Miftari ◽  
Vjosa Hajdari
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
B Test ◽  
Selection Of

Aim. Based on similar studies, this research work aims to investigate the perception of students and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of learning about the importance of soft skills for their education and employment since these skills are increasingly sought-after by potential employers. Methods. The Kendall Tau b test and Mann Whitney U test have been applied to show the relationship between soft skills and job preparedness for students. This study investigates a selection of 100 students from a private HEI (UBT College) and 100 students from a public HEI (University “Haxhi Zeka”), both in Kosovo. A total of 200 valid responses were collected from July to September 2020. Goldsmith inventory for 15 soft skills has been distributed as a questionnaire has been distributed to the students of these universities. Results and conclusion. The research results indicate that in soft skills development of the UBT College students is significantly higher than the soft skills developed of the University “Haxhi Zeka” students. The findings also show that most of the students believe that their actual soft skills were at a less than the desired level. Practical application. This research implicates the Higher Education Institutions to consider the soft skills as an important tool for enhancing graduates’ employability. The results indicate the need to  reconsider the curriculum by embedding soft skills on it. The students’ perception on soft skills is a contribution not only for the universities considered in this research but also for all graduates in HEIs in Kosovo, since the curriculum does not change much among universities. According to Eurostat the unemployment youth rate in Kosovo is about 55.4% and for this reason the results will help the HEIs to rethink about their students’ future employment opportunities. Originality. This is the only study done in Kosovo about graduates’ soft skills and employment and it provides information about a concerning problem in the country. This paper suggests initiatives to upgrade students’ soft skills and to improve their perspective on their future employment.

Quality assurance systems: enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Ferreira de Mello Silva ◽  
Eduardo Raupp de Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation In Higher Education

Purpose This study aims to examine the extant literature to analyze the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and innovation in the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study selected 63 articles through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and performed a descriptive and thematic synthesis-analysis on the sample. Findings The research identifies several perspectives discussed on QA systems covering experiences, criticisms and practice implications. The literature review shows there is no clear consensus on whether innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is fostered or hindered by QA processes. However, it seems that the likelihood of innovativeness and positive QA outcomes are directly linked to how these processes are managed in universities. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the university management concerns that emerge with QA issues as it is not yet clear to what extent innovation is actually promoted in scenarios where QA is applied. Hence, this literature review could be considered comprehensive but not exhaustive. Further studies are recommended to improve the understanding of how HEIs can both innovate and ensure quality at the same time. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advancing the opportunities and challenges that HEIs face due to QA system features.

An evaluation of the ‘Red Andalucia Ecocampus University of Malaga’ environmental education programme

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 378-385
Author(s):  
Juan-Jesus Martin-Jaime ◽  
Leticia-Concepcion Velasco-Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Environmental Education ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
University Community

Training university students so that they become professionals who will promote an improvement in the relationship between socio-economic activity and the environment is one of the main challenges in higher education. Thus, it is important to evaluate the Environmental Education Programmes offered by public institutions to the university community. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of the ‘Red Andalucia Ecocampus University of Malaga’ Programme in relation to the involvement of the university community in the environmental sustainability of its setting. A mixed methods design was used. Research participants included teachers, students and administrative and service staff at different research and training centres of the University of Malaga (n = 387). The results in this research work reveal that this Programme has an effective methodological design when it comes to acquiring concepts and strengthening environmental values in the university community. Keywords: Environmental education, programme evaluation, sustainability, higher education.

scholarly journals INCULCATION OF SOFT SKILLS THROUGH CREDITED CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AMONG STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (44) ◽  
pp. 30-37
Author(s):  
Izwan Nizal Mohd Shaharanee ◽  
Jastini Mohd Jamil ◽  
Hussin Abdullah ◽  
Azlizan Taib
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Academic Excellence ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Ongoing Effort ◽  
Proper Training ◽  
The University

Education in Malaysia is an ongoing effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. This aspiration will not be successful if the emphasis is only given to academic excellence alone. Therefore, the co-curricular activities should also be embedded towards Higher Education Institutions (HEI) students in cultivating soft skill. Various co-curricular activities have been implemented at the university to offer valuable soft skills to students. But it is still a question how these soft skills are implemented, and how are the students' acceptance and understanding of the soft skills applied. Therefore, this study has been conducted to identify the effectiveness of students' soft skills after completing co-curricular activities. A questionnaire involving a total of 669 students was analysed. The result indicated the effectiveness of soft skills embedded within the co-curricular activities is high, with an average value of 5 (Likert Scale 1-7). However, some improvements are required to increase the effectiveness of soft skills to students. Co-curricular instructors/trainers need to have proper training on integrating soft skill in their courses. Providing good guidelines is vital to help the instructors/trainers develop suitable co-curricular activities for teaching delivery and evaluation. The instructors/trainers need to explain to students what soft skills they can obtain for each activity implemented. Additionally, to ensure students acquire the soft skill, they need to reflect on what they have learned and practices during co-curricular activities.

The Relevance of Competencies of Graduates of Engineering Professions in the Labour Market

2018 ◽  
pp. 48-50
Author(s):  
Е. Сигат ◽  
E. Sigat ◽  
О. Полянок ◽  
O. Polyanok
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Degree Of Orientation ◽  
Education And Employment ◽  
Education Of Students ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
The Relationship

The article is devoted to the study of the relevance of the competencies of graduates of engineering specialties in the labour market. The authors consider higher schools of Russia and America. Schools are guided in training of engineers on deep and actual knowledge, skills in the professional sphere, but forget about not less important, fl exible (soft) skills which are accepted to call «soft skills». The authors consider the quality of education of students in connection with its competitiveness and the possibility of employment in the labour market, the relationship between education and employment, the relationship of assessments and the actual competencies of the specialist. The authors show that the key indicators of the eff ectiveness of higher education and the quality of training is the degree of orientation of educational programs on the labour market. Labour market orientation is realized through interaction between education and employers and is formalized in the form of criteria and requirements for graduates in terms of their current practical suitability for employment. The introduction of new Federal educational standards poses the problem of developing such curricula, the implementation of which will allow graduates to form the necessary competence for employers. This suggests the need to introduce an additional system of assessing the qualifi cations of young professionals in the educational process of higher education, helping to determine the degree of their readiness to work in the profession and the initial orientation of University curricula to maximize this readiness. The system of professional standards acts as a basis, which helps to build training in accordance with the production requirements and determine the quality of this training.

The Relationship of Leadership in Knowledge Management Towards Effectiveness in Higher Education Institutes

2019 ◽  
pp. 254-260
Author(s):  
Esra Aldhaen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Random Selection ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World ◽  
The University ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

Higher education institutes around the world are facing serious challenges in particular to strategic planning, accreditation, and deriving high-priority operations. Various studies declared that one of the main aspects that is causing higher education institutes a tremendous failure is leadership styles, specifically the random selection of leaders to run the operations to match with the recruitment cycle. In some countries such as the United Kingdom, leaders of the higher education institute or the school within the university must be changed after a specific year handling the position. This change normally impacts the change of leadership styles and strategies, including knowledge management and sharing strategies. This was found to be one of the important factors that could hinder the operations and may lead to failure in implementing the planned targets.

scholarly journals COURSE OF "COMPUTER GEOMETRY" IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 732-736
Author(s):  
Akan Mubarakov ◽  
Jaroslav Kultan ◽  
Ainash Davletova ◽  
Mira Rakhimzhanova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Problem Analysis ◽  
Future Teachers ◽  
Academic Subject ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The University ◽  
Computer Geometry ◽  
Selection Of

When considering the various areas of computer mathematics, especially geometry sticks out, where the problem analysis clearly and fully illustrates the computer. The discipline called "Computer Geometry" (F.Preparato, M.Sheymos) worthily appreciated by modern scientists. However, the practice of training in the higher education institutions (especially training of future teachers), does not provide studying of the Computer Geometry as an academic subject. Perspectives and methodology of Computer Geometry are developed by detailed study of specific problems, and the selection of the content of such course should be conducted on the basis of certain principles, all of which in total have to reflect the prospects of formation of the identity of the trainee as the subject of education adequately.

scholarly journals SELECTION OF PRIORITIES FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AT A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-72
Author(s):  
А. Бянкин ◽  
A. Byankin ◽  
Г. Бурдакова ◽  
G. Burdakova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
The University ◽  
Selection Of

<p>A rational choice of priorities in the field of research and development at the university is a fundamental factor in obtaining support, funding and commercialization. This choice depends on the technical, economic, environmental, educational and humanitarian problems of regions and cities where the higher education institution is located. The choice of priorities in the field of scientific research and development depends on a number of factors, such as continuous research; research interests of the academic staff; the curriculum; access to good laboratory facilities; the relevance for the Russian scientific community; the relevance for the world scientific community; the interests of scientific knowledge; demand from the customer (organization, enterprise); "The National Technology Initiative" state program; the priority development directions of science and technology; list of critical technologies of the Russian Federation; the Foresight method; funds, grants, and subsidies. The aim of the study is to analyze the process of selection of priorities for scientific-research work conducted by employees of the Komsomolskon-Amur state University (KnaGU). The authors considered the dynamics of scientific research and development in Russia and at the university. Based on a survey of university staff, the authors have identified approaches to the choice of research topics. The paper features some recommendations for selecting research priorities</p>

A University Education

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Willetts
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
University Education ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Universities have a crucial role in the modern world. In England, entrance to universities is by nation-wide competition which means English universities have an exceptional influence on schools--a striking theme of the book. This important book first investigates the university as an institution and then tracks the individual on their journey to and through university. In A University Education, David Willetts presents a compelling case for the ongoing importance of the university, both as one of the great institutions of modern society and as a transformational experience for the individual. The book also makes illuminating comparisons with higher education in other countries, especially the US and Germany. Drawing on his experience as UK Minister for Universities and Science from 2010 to 2014, the author offers a powerful account of the value of higher education and the case for more expansion. He covers controversial issues in which he was involved from access for disadvantaged students to the introduction of L9,000 fees. The final section addresses some of the big questions for the future, such as the the relationship between universities and business, especially in promoting innovation.. He argues that the two great contemporary trends of globalisation and technological innovation will both change the university significantly. This is an authoritative account of English universities setting them for the first time in their new legal and regulatory framework.

The Indian University in a Comparative Perspective

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.R. Madhava Menon
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Comparative Perspective ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
University System ◽  
Current State ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

The purpose of looking at Indian universities in a comparative perspective is obviously to locate it among higher education institutions across the world and to identify its strengths and weaknesses in the advancement of learning and research. In doing so, one can discern the directions for reform in order to put the university system in a competitive advantage for an emerging knowledge society. This chapter looks at the current state of universities in India and highlights the initiatives under way for change and proposes required policy changes.

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