Soft Skills for Life
Students’ training should be global, seeking to focus on learning specific knowledge and practices (Hard Skills), as well as transversal competences (Soft Skills). Such skills contribute to one’s personal development, academic success, and better preparation for professional life.
Main Goal
- Developing soft skills in UALG students.
Soft skills can be understood as the abilities that are not included in technical skills. They are usually divided into two subtypes: intrapersonal skills (e.g., emotional intelligence, time management, planning) and interpersonal skills (e.g., clear communication, leadership and teamwork).
The soft skills comprised in this course are:
- Planning and Organization
- Adaptation and flexibility
- Speaking
- Written communication
- Creativity and innovation
- Use of new ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies)
- Time management
- Motivation
- Teamwork
- Active listening
- Decision-making
- Observation of one’s own thoughts and emotions
- Problem Analysis and Resolution
- Interpersonal relationship and conflict management
- Conceptualization capacity
Operating Mode
This is an online asynchronous course, in which the student chooses his/her schedule. It has a duration of 20 hours (4 weeks) and the content is divided in three years, according to the student’s degree year. If you are a postgraduate, you can choose which year is most interesting to you.
Regarding the evaluation and frequency, students have compulsory weekly activities that will be carried out and sent via electronic tutoring. Such activities are related to the themes and videos available in the specific module. These are practical activities that instigate the participant to think and act on the applicability of soft skills in his/her life. There will also be quizzes to validate the content of the week. In order to conclude the course, students are required to have completed at least 75% of the tasks.
In addition to the tasks contained in the modules, the fulfilling of 2 forms (questionnaires) will be requested: one before and another after the course. The purpose is to evaluate the effects of this program based on scientific evidence.
The completion of this course provides a certificate and a mention in the diploma supplement to the student.
Results
Developed at Ualg since 2018, this course has had 6 editions, with the participation of over 1000 students. More than 600 students finished the program by fulfilling the necessary requirements. Through the investigation of Dr. Luana T. Nesi de Mello, entitled “Desenvolvimento e avaliação de uma intervenção online de competências transversais com universitários” beneficial results were found in variables of positive psychological aspects (e.g., life satisfaction, optimism, gratitude), emotional aspects (e.g. , emotional regulation, anxiety, stress), as well as soft skills (eg., interpersonal, personal and professional).
In early 2022, the “Soft Skills For Life” program was presented by Saúl Neves de Jesus, coordinator of this program, in a session dedicated to innovative examples on vocational guidance and successful transition to Higher Education, within the "International Seminar on Peer Learning", at the invitation of the European Commission and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Pedagogical Innovation Support Office
University of Algarve
Pavilhões de Alvenaria – Office F16
Gambelas Campus
8005-139 Faro
Telephone: +351 289 800 900, Ext: 7086
Email: competenciasparavida@ualg.pt
