Faculty Perspectives on the Integration of Soft Skills in Moroccan Higher Education Curriculum

Abstract

Soft skills are crucial for achieving professional success and fostering effective social interactions in society. These competencies are in high demand by employers seeking to hire recent graduates. This study aims to explore faculty members' perspectives on integrating soft skills into the Moroccan higher education curriculum. It emphasizes the importance of balancing the integration of soft skills with technical expertise to maximize effectiveness. A structured questionnaire was developed as the primary data collection tool and distributed via social media to university professors across various Moroccan institutions, including the Faculty of Sciences, the Higher School of Technology (EST), the National School of Applied Sciences (ENSAM), and the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences at Moulay Ismail University, as well as the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences and the National School of Applied Sciences at Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, and the Superior School of Education and Training (ESEF) at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra. Out of fifty distributed questionnaires, a 50% response rate was achieved. The findings of the study indicate that Moroccan university professors maintain a favorable view of the importance of soft skills, recognizing that the integration of these abilities not only bolsters academic performance but also enhances students' social and academic integration, as well as their career prospects.