Perceptions of Najran University Students on Utilization and Enhancing Soft Skills and Challenges

Abstract

The study aims to identify the level of soft skills utilization among Najran University students and the challenges they face in developing these skills from their perspective. A descriptive-analytical approach was employed, where a list of soft skills was categorized into four classes, comprising a total of 37 skills from key competencies. A questionnaire was prepared to determine the importance of soft skills from the student's point of view, as well as to assess their satisfaction with their proficiency levels. In addition, it aimed to gauge their satisfaction with the methods and strategies used by the university in enhancing these skills and to identify the obstacles hindering their development. The survey was administered to 296 male and female students at Najran University. The results indicated that students highly valued the importance of soft skills. The ranking of soft skills categories, based on their importance to the students, was as follows: learning and life skills, effective communication skills, strategic planning and time management skills, and finally, leadership and teamwork skills. However, the results also revealed their dissatisfaction with their proficiency levels, as they expressed low satisfaction. Furthermore, they were dissatisfied with the methods and strategies employed by the university in developing these skills. Despite this, they strongly agreed that significant obstacles were preventing the development of these skills among them.