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Importance of Soft Skills
More than 1,324,954 Indian students pursue education abroad, gaining admission to prestigious global universities. Although Indian students are widely embraced and recognized for their technical expertise, experts note a deficiency in soft skills among them.
What are soft skills & why is it important?
Soft skills, also known as interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence, refer to the capacity to engage positively with others. These are personal qualities that impact relationships, communication, and interpersonal dynamics.
The significance of soft skills in achieving business success cannot be overstated. Although they may be more challenging to cultivate than hard skills—tangible abilities like web design, accounting, or editing proficiency—they are arguably just as crucial for business effectiveness. Recognizing these skills will assist in identifying your existing strengths or areas for future development.
Why are soft skills required for Indian Students?
Soft skills development is integral to professional growth, offering various advantages:
- Enhanced productivity: Strengthening communication skills facilitates active listening and thorough questioning, expediting task completion with greater efficiency.
- Superior customer service: Soft skills training refines listening, communication, and problem-solving prowess, fostering trust with clients and fostering repeat business.
- Heightened self-confidence: Participation in team-building exercises, for instance, nurtures trust within teams, bolstering confidence in individual and collective performance within organizational settings.
- Elevated retention rates: Professionals adept in soft skills exhibit a stronger commitment to their roles, fostering improved relationships with supervisors through effective communication, thus reducing turnover rates.
- Enhanced job satisfaction: Soft skills training empowers individuals to navigate workplace challenges more adeptly, fostering higher job satisfaction, increased productivity, and reduced absenteeism and turnover. For instance, conflict management skills acquisition equips professionals with the tools to handle disagreements constructively, fostering a more positive work environment conducive to career advancement through resources like career planning workshops and networking opportunities.
Testimonies from Experts on the Importance of Soft Skills for Indian Students
Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia) at Deakin University Australia, highlights the shifting landscape of India’s education system. It’s moving away from an exam-focused approach to a more comprehensive learning model, emphasizing innovation, creativity, and soft skills development alongside traditional academics. Despite previous gaps in soft skills, the system is becoming more attuned, with Indian students successfully bridging the divide. Their combination of technical expertise and strong subject knowledge positions them competitively on the global stage.
Deborah Terry AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland encourages students to boost their soft skills by assuming leadership roles, gaining global exposure, contributing to research projects, and engaging in innovative initiatives like start-ups. This approach emphasizes the value of a well-rounded education, combining specialized knowledge with a diverse skill set to prepare students for the evolving job market.
Madhur Gujar, co-founder and chief business Officer of Amberstudent, notes that Indian students excel in technical skills due to the emphasis on science and technology in their home country’s education system. However, when studying abroad, they often realize the importance of developing soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. To improve these skills, Gujar suggests engaging in extracurricular activities, collaborating with classmates from diverse backgrounds, or volunteering. Many universities abroad also offer workshops or courses to support this growth, enhancing the overall study-abroad experience for Indian students.
Deborah Terry AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland encourages students to boost their soft skills by assuming leadership roles, gaining global exposure, contributing to research projects, and engaging in innovative initiatives like start-ups. This approach emphasizes the value of a well-rounded education, combining specialized knowledge with a diverse skill set to prepare students for the evolving job market.
Madhur Gujar, co-founder and chief business Officer of Amberstudent, notes that Indian students excel in technical skills due to the emphasis on science and technology in their home country’s education system. However, when studying abroad, they often realize the importance of developing soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. To improve these skills, Gujar suggests engaging in extracurricular activities, collaborating with classmates from diverse backgrounds, or volunteering. Many universities abroad also offer workshops or courses to support this growth, enhancing the overall study-abroad experience for Indian students.
Conclusion
In short, soft skills play a pivotal role in personal and professional success. While technical expertise is undoubtedly valuable, it is soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership that often determine a student’s ability to thrive in diverse environments and navigate complex challenges. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the significance of soft skills only grows, highlighting the need for Indian students to prioritize their development alongside their technical abilities. By honing these essential attributes, these students can not only enhance their career prospects but also contribute positively to their communities and society as a whole.
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