Assessing Soft Skills Integration in Higher Education (A Survey of Afghan Universities and Higher Education Institutions)

This article presents a comprehensive study that investigates the extent to which Afghan Universities and Higher Education Institutions prioritize the integration of soft skills within curricula, pedagogy, and educational programs, ensuring alignment with the demands of the 21st-century career market. A survey design has been used to collect the data from 35 different departments of 20 universities and higher education institutions in Afghanistan. The findings of the study revealed several important insights. There is a significant misalignment between the curriculum implemented in Afghan Universities and HEIs and the job market demands. The study found that Afghan Universities and HEIs do not pay sufficient attention to the development and fostering of soft skills in students through their educational programs and pedagogy. The study revealed that respondents also expressed concerns regarding the ability of universities and HEIs to effectively nurture and develop soft skills. They identified some key contributing reasons for their concerns such as outdated curriculum and pedagogy, and lack of professionalism. The researchers recommend that universities and higher education institutions strengthen the integration of soft skills into their educational programs to better prepare students for the professional world. and Prioritizing the integration of soft skills alongside technical knowledge.