At Cadi Ayyad University, soft skills development is an essential part of academic training. To better prepare students for their future careers and civic life, the university has introduced a mandatory soft skills module as part of all Bachelor’s (Licence) and Master’s degree programs. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to fostering well-rounded graduates who possess both academic knowledge and the interpersonal skills necessary for success in today’s world.
1. Module Objectives
This module consists of two main components:
1.1. Personal Development and Career Planning
The first component focuses on Personal Development and Career Planning. It offers students a rich and coherent program, combining workshops and MOOCs, to help them:
- Build self-confidence and self-esteem
- Acquire practical tools to face exam situations, job interviews, team management, and conflict resolution with ease
- Develop a methodology for designing a personal career path
The content is based on self-awareness, identifying personal and professional interests, conducting research on career fields, and comparing personal perceptions with real-life professional testimonies (via MOOCs, surveys, or interviews).
1.2. Student Engagement through Activities
The second component allows students to choose from various activities such as sports, student associations, or tutoring. The aim is to provide an environment conducive to personal growth and fulfillment within the university setting, while also encouraging student involvement in community-based and collaborative activities. This experience will help students:
- Strengthen their project management skills
- Improve teamwork and leadership abilities
2. Module Content Description
This section includes detailed content on the courses and practical activities delivered as part of the module (Lectures, Tutorials, Workshops, Hands-on Activities, etc.).
Component 1: Personal Development & Career Planning
Personal Development:
- Self-awareness: Develop one’s personality, positive attitude, and highlight personal skills
- Mastery of self-motivation techniques and perception of failure
- Interpersonal skills: Learn teamwork techniques and how to become an effective leader
Career Planning:
- Strategic thinking: Move from vision to action and achieve tangible results
- Positive mindset for reaching objectives
- Information literacy: Learn how to conduct research on professional sectors and career paths
- Build an informed and realistic academic and career plan
Component 2: Extracurricular Engagement
Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of the following:
- Sports
- Student Associations
- Tutoring Programs
These activities are designed to reinforce leadership, communication, organizational, and collaboration skills, which are essential for a successful professional career.