ph.d. training methodology course soft skills by prof.william rugumamu and dr. martha qorro

Ph.D. TRAINING METHODOLOGY COURSE

SOFT SKILLSBYPROF.WILLIAM RUGUMAMUANDDR. MARTHA QORRO

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

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


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


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


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


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.


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.


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.


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


Some students dont even attempt to make appointments and simply hope to slide in and find a supervisor

inadequate meetings between Supervisees and supervisors


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.


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


Astonishingly Some Students employ ‘research consultants’ at research bureaus

Universities need to MOTIVATE supervisees and supervisors alike in terms of creating conducive research environment

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

Types of skills measures

Aptitude Vs Emotional Intelligence Quotient (IQ) -fixed from birth –

potential

Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EIQ) – can be improved

EIQ

Personal skills Inter-personal skills Additional skills/knowledge

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

EIS

Ph.D. training means imparting competence to candidates in the realm of searching Knowledge cf 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

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

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

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

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

Note the Qualities of Current research environment Vs Soft Skills

trans-disciplinary multi-institutional multi-donor/sponsoring agents spatio-temporal dimensions

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

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

SIXTY soft skills

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

ph.d. training methodology course soft skills by prof.william rugumamu and dr. martha qorro

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