The Impact of Asia Pacific University College of Techology and Innovation's (UCTI) continuous community engagement programmes on the development of student's generic soft skills

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the impact of UCTT's Community Engagement programme on the development of students' generic soft skills. The dimensions of students' soft skills were constructed based on the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) My3S programme which aspires to develop seven core soft skills through universities' community engagement programmes (see www.mohe.gov.my). As an active stakeholder in the society, UCTI has been embarking on many Community Engagement initiatives in its annual students' activities. These endeavours are aimed towards achieving the objectives of My3S programme to instill the seven thrusts of generic soft skills. One of the programmes was designed to conduct continuous engagement with the community at Felda Mempaga, Pahang, Malaysia. Two projects have been undertaken in 2010 and 2011 where 50% of the students involved in both programmes were from the batch of 2010. This longitudinal study is designed to explore the impact of UCTT's Community Engagement Programmes on the development of students' generic soft skills in duration. Data were solicited from a focus group of 30 students via interview method. The focus group has given their response based on their experiences gained during the community engagement programmes and their expectations and suggestions on how the programmes can develop their soft skills. The findings indicate that continuous community engagement programmes had demonstrated a significant impact of the development of student's generic soft skills.