1. Ph.D. TRAINING METHODOLOGY COURSE SOFT SKILLS BY PROF.WILLIAM RUGUMAMU AND DR. MARTHA QORRO

2. Introduction Soft Skills Cocktail of Issues: A Case for Some Students Show conspicuous weakness in the use of English Language even at this level vs conceptualizing issues related to research do not read to conceptualize the problem statement are incapable of explaining their own work

3. Introduction cont… amount of effort put in during the programme have a lot to do with the success/failure to complete it claim academic terrorists” who terrorise them and they fail to finish their degrees (+10YRS). ILLUSIONS ON supervisors write Capboard Degrees”.Vs Coffin degrees those locked up and never come out –finish

4. Introduction cont… Ph.D registration has unwritten requirement that those to be recruited for the programme must be those who can demonstrate that they are able to walk the lonely journey or withstand the pressures of doing a PhD

5. Introduction cont… lack training programmes to enrich their soft skills in critical thinking eg. inconsistent and lack a clear conceptual focus- there is a total lack of understanding of the current theoretical debates

6. Introduction cont… lack training programmes in Soft Skills in academic writing and analysis. e.g when on the whole the thesis does not constitute a text enjoyable to read, full of repetitions regarding preconceived notions and opinions

7. Introduction cont… have supervisors who do not agree on what method(s) to use qualitative/Quantitative/ mixed). don’t know HOW to write focused theses supported by a lot of convincing evidence. don’t know HOW to acknowledge other authors.

8. Introduction cont… Some Students don’t know HOW to be consistent and cite source appropriately. don’t know HOW to select topics and themes that they can successfully develop within the framework and the time period and resources available. don’t know that a Ph.D. thesis needs to be persuasive to the audience - fellow students, lecturers, external examiner, and general public.

9. Introduction cont… don’t know HOW to be consistent and cite source appropriately. don’t know HOW to select topics and themes that they can successfully develop within the framework and the time period and resources available. don’t know that a Ph.D. thesis needs to be persuasive to the audience - fellow students, lecturers, external examiner(s), and general public.

10. Introduction cont… may not have their work read and reports/feedback given in time for them to re- work and graduate on time have complained that they are not able to get supervisors in the office, which is not unusual

11. Introduction cont… Some students dont even attempt to make appointments and simply hope to slide in and find a supervisor inadequate meetings between Supervisees and supervisors

12. Introduction cont… INDEED Some Students don’t know that a good PhD thesis needs critical thinking, analysis, interpretation, proper technique, grammar, organization, creativity, originality and articulation Writing a thesis which is focused, clear and well supported, and creation of new knowledge (HARD SKILLS) demands hard work and sacrifice and does not JUST come easily.

13. Introduction cont… Some Students develop cut-and-paste tendencies where they are using old theses as a guide rather than doing their own original work.

14. Introduction cont… Astonishingly Some Students employ ‘research consultants’ at research bureaus Universities need to MOTIVATE supervisees and supervisors alike in terms of creating conducive research environment

15. TOWARDS SOFT SKILLS AWARENESS TRAINING Skills as Concept Understood context by context hence varies widely across fields c.f. central concept SKILLS Shape individual personality

16. Types of skills measures Aptitude Vs Emotional Intelligence Quotient (IQ) -fixed from birth – potential Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ) – can be improved

17. EIQ Personal skills Inter-personal skills Additional skills/knowledge

18. EIS Soft skills complement hard skills SS create competitive edge among similar qualifications (i.e. hard skills) c.f. interview Self-recognition as first step to improvement of soft skills Hence self-imposed training is best way to go along

19. EIS Ph.D. training means imparting competence to candidates in the realm of searching Knowledgecf management; leadership; academic culture putting the responsibility for much of their own research and career mgt Formal soft skills fall in the interface Ph.D candidates discover new knowledge

20. EIS Case for Soft skills training at Ph.D level is that candidates are for discovering new knowledge and not generic curriculum P.h.D should hence seek skills in e.g communication (oral& written); inter- personal relations; self-management; team-work (inter-dependence); decision- making; creative problem-solving

21. Of course some of us may claim having/practicing these skills!!!! Are you one?!

22. Behold: Ph.D students need to:- control their own competences and competitiveness need to take advantage of their resource-rich university become better net-workers

23. Behold: P.h.D students need to:- seek out mentors/coaches/colleagues to assist in their development have professional development plan (PDP) - marketing document -develop & maintain a portifolio of their development

24. Note the Qualities of Current research environment Vs Soft Skills trans-disciplinary multi-institutional multi-donor/sponsoring agents spatio-temporal dimensions

25. Grounding Soft Skills Building Partnership btn individuals, communities or industry Formation of organizing structures –teamwork/teams Meeting the requirement that research delivers multiple funding parties Enhanced expectations for accountability and knowledge transfer

26. "Personal traits and skills that employers state are the most important when selecting employees for jobs of any type." SIXTY soft skills

27. 1. Math. 2. Safety. 3. Courtesy. 4. Honesty. 5. Grammar. 6. Reliability. 7. Flexibility. 8. Team skills. 9. Eye contact. 10. Cooperation.

28. 11. Adaptability. 12. Follow rules. 13. Self-directed. 14 Good attitude. 15. Writing skills. 16. Driver's license. 17. Dependability. 18. Advanced math. 19. Self-supervising. 20. Good references.

29. 21. Being drug free. 22. Good attendance. 23. Personal energy. 24. Work experience. 25. Ability to measure. 26. Personal integrity. 27. Good work history. 28. Positive work ethic. 29. Interpersonal skills. 30. Motivational skills.

30. 31. Valuing education. 32. Personal chemistry. 33. Willingness to learn. 34. Common sense. 35. Critical thinking skills. 36. Knowledge of fractions. 37. Reporting to work on time. 38. Use of rulers and calculators. 39. Good personal appearance. 40. Wanting to do a good job.

31. 41. Basic spelling and grammar. 42. Reading and comprehension. 43. Ability to follow regulations. 44. Willingness to be accountable. 45. Ability to fill out a job application. 46. Ability to make production quotas. 47. Basic manufacturing skills training. 48. Awareness of how business works. 49. Staying on the job until it is finished. 50. Ability to read and follow instructions.

32. 51. Willingness to work second and third shifts. 52. Caring about seeing the company succeed. 53. Understanding what the world is all about. 54. Ability to listen and document what you have heard. 55. Commitment to continued training and learning. 56. Willingness to take instruction and responsibility. 57. Ability to relate to coworkers in a close environment. 58. Not expecting to become a supervisor in the first six months. 59. Willingness to be a good worker and go beyond the traditional eight-hour day. 60. Communication skills with public, fellow employees, supervisors, and customers.

33. How many (MORE/LESS) soft skills do you possess?