Embedding 21st Century Soft Skills in Islamic Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i2.232Keywords:
Soft Skills, Islamic Higher Education, Communication Skills, Interaction, Leadership, EntrepreneurshipAbstract
Soft skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving and entrepreneurship are increasingly recognised as essential for preparing graduates to thrive in today’s complex and competitive global workforce. This study investigates the integration of these 21st-century soft skills within Malaysian higher education, with a specific focus on the Special Arabic Language Program (SALP) at a public institution. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with SALP alumni and supported by document analysis related to the programme. The findings reveal that both academic and co-curricular components of the SALP have played a significant role in developing students’ soft skills. These experiences have fostered competencies in communication, leadership, social engagement and entrepreneurship, all nurtured within a framework grounded in Islamic values.
Downloads
References
’Adlina Abdul Khalil, Rosfazila Abd Rahman, & Hairol Anuar Mak Din. (2018). Kajian kes interaksi sosial dalam kalangan pelajar pelbagai etnik ke arah pengukuhan integrasi Nasional. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities(MJSSH), 3(3), 131–135.
Ahmad, Hussin, Md. Rahaimi bin Haji Yaacob, Mahazi bin Si Harun, Ruzina binti Jusoh, Zarina binti Md Yassin, A. binti Z., & Noraisah binti Yusoff, Liew Yon Foi, Sham bin Ibrahim, Faizatoen binti Zulkernain, Jamelaa Bibi binti Abdullah, Sathiyabama Subramaniam, M. binti H. (2021). Impak Program Kelayakan Profesional Pemimpin Pendidikan Kebangsaan (NPQEL 2.0) Terhadap Pemimpin Sekolah. Management Research Journal, 10(2021), 66–81. https://ejournal.upsi.edu.my/index.php/MRJ/article/view/5956
Amnah Saayah Ismail, Nor Nazimi Mohd Mustaffa, Aida Nasirah Abdullah, Nor Surayya Mohd Saudi, & Nurhana Mohd Rafiuddin. (2020). Pembentukan kepimpinan pelajar menerusi program khidmat komuniti di Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. Journal of Defence Management, Social Science& Humanities, Special Issue, 29–35.
Amnah Saayah Ismail, Nurhana Mohd Rafiuddin, Nor Nazimi Mohd Mustaffa, Nur Surayya Saudi, & Aida Nasirah Abdullah. (2023). Kesan dan Cabaran Pelaksanaan Kursus Khidmat Komuniti Di Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. Jurnal Personalia, 26(1), 77–85.
Anas Suzastri Ahmad, & Hadijah Johari. (2022). Motif Kesukarelawan Dan Kemahiran Insaniah Mahasiswa Khidmat Masyarakat (Volunteer Motif and Human Skills of Community Service Students). International Journal of Social Science Research, 4(1), 124–138. http://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijssr
Anuar, A. S., & Sahid, S. (2020). Kerangka Konseptual Set Minda Keusahawanan, Inspirasi Keusahawanan dan Faktor Kognitif BT - Proceeding: International Conference of Future Education and Advances. 44–49.
Ashmirul, A., Abu, A., & Jamaluddin, K. A. (2023). Kaedah Main Peranan Dalam Pembelajaran Kemahiran Bertutur Subjek Bahasa. Jurnal Dunia Pendidikan, 4(4), 110–118. https://doi.org/10.55057/jdpd.2022.4.4.9
Azliza Yusop, & Suriati Ahmad. (2020). Inspirasi ilmu edisi membudayakan perkongsian pemikiran, idea dan garapan melalui penulisan (J. P. B. I. Ilmu & Kolej Komuniti Kuantan (eds.); 1st ed).
Azmi, T. B. (2023). Pembangunan Kerangka Kerja Program Pendidikan Teknikal Dan Latihan Vokasional Oleh Institut Kemahiran Awam Dalam Industri Pembinaan Di Malaysia. Ph. D Dissertation.
Colasante, A., García-Gallego, A., Georgantzis, N., & Morone, A. (2020). Voluntary contributions in a system with uncertain returns: Acase of systemic risk. Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, 25, 111–132. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11403-019-00276-z
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five procedures. In Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (3rd ed). SAGE Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2007). Qualitative Methodology (Including Focus Groups). SAGE Publications.
Farah Lyana Zulkefly, & Siti Asma’ Mohd Rosdi. (2022). Kecekapan Pengurusan Kewangan Mahasiswa. Management Research Journal, 11(1), 50–57.
Haron, A. A., Juhdi, N. H., & Rahid, M. R. (2022). Program Keusahawanan dan Prospek Kerjaya Pilihan Mahasiswa: Kajian di UKM. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business, 10(1), 115–129.
Intan Suria Hamzah, Siti Aisyah Mohamad Zin, Mohamad Basri Jamal, Muhammad Ridhwan Sarifin, & Latun Azizah Kamarudin. (2022). Peranan Aktiviti Sukarela dalam Memupuk Kemahiran Insaniah Mahasiswa. Perspektif Jurnal Sains Sosial Dan Kemanusiaan, 14(Isu Khas), 67–80.
Ismail, A. S., Saudi Mohd, N. S., Mohd Mustaffa, N. N., Mohd Rafiuddin, N., & Abdullah, A. N. (2021). Covid-19 : Khidmat Komuniti Secara Dalam Talian. Jurnal Dunia Pengurusan, 3(2), 53–58.
Khaulah Hilaluddin, Mohd Nazri Muhayiddin, Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, & Anis Amira Ab Rahman. (2024). Keusahawanan Islam: Satu Kajian terhadap Kisah Telaga Wakaf Saidina Uthman r.a.: Islamic Entrepreneurship: A Study of the Waqf Well Story Saidina Uthman r.a. RABBANICA - Journal of Revealed Knowledge, 5(1 SE-), 31–49.
Lindner, J. (2020). Entrepreneurial learning for TVET institutions: A practical guide. UNESCO Publishing. https://unevoc.unesco.org/pub/entrepreneurial_learning_guide_en.pdf
Ling, O. A., Kee, C. P., & Azlan, A. A. (2020). Penerokaan isu penguasaan kemahiran insaniah graduan UKM dari perspektif STOPS. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 36(3), 247–265. https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2020-3603-15
Mack, A. J., White, D., & Senghor, O. (2019). An insight into entrepreneurship education practices in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(1), Artikel 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-019-0169-z
Mack, A. J., White, D., & Senghor, O. (2021). The benefits of exposing post-secondary students to entrepreneurship training in Trinidad and Tobago. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8(1), 223. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00905-8
Mat Zizi Ismail, Ramli Yaacob, Hamidon Abd Rahman, Nur Fatimah Awang Da, & Sapinah Zakaria. (2020). Asas Komunikasi untuk Pemimpin Pendidikan (Aziah Samichan, Norhayati Aziz, Ramli Yaacob, & Mat Zizi Ismail (eds.)). Institut Aminuddin Baki Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
Mawonedzo, A., Tanga, M., Luggya, S., & Nsubuga, Y. (2021). Implementing strategies of entrepreneurship education in Zimbabwe. Education and Training, 63(1), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-03-2020-0068
Mayombe, C. (2020). Adult learners’ perception on the use of constructivist principles in teaching and learning in non-formal education centres in South Africa. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 39(4), 402–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2020.1796834
Maznah Abdullah, & Faridah Abu Bakar. (2023). Tahap Penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris dalam Kalangan Pelajar Semester Dua Diploma Akauntansi di Politeknik Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia. International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 5(3), 211–219. https://doi.org/10.55057/ijares.2023.5.3.20
Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and Implementation. Jossey-Bass.
Mohamad Basri Jamal, Khairul Gufran Kaspin, Norshahrul Marzuki Mohd Nor, Mazdi Marzuki, Muhammad Hasbi Abdul Rahman, & Habibah@Artini Ramlie. (2021). Keberkesanan pendidikan kesukarelawanan dalam kalangan pelajar Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) ke arah memperkasakan nilai-nilai insaniah. International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, 6(39), 208–222. https://doi.org/10.35631/ijepc.6390014
Mohd Hasimi Yaacob, Mohd Helmi Ali, & Nurhidayani. (2017). Hubungan Penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris dengan Tahap Keberkesanan Kemahiran Insaniah Pelajar di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (The Relationship between the English Proficiency and the Effectiveness of Soft Skills of Students in National University of Malaysi. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar, 20(1), 67–77. http://www.ukm.my/personalia/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Artikel-6_mohd-hasimi-yaacob_FEP_FINAL.pdf
Nazeri Mohammad, & Wan Ameran Wan Mat. (2024). Peranan Aktiviti Kokurikulum dalam Pembangunan Kemahiran Insaniah dalam Kalangan Murid. Global Journal of Educational Research and Management (GERMANE), 4(1), 27–33.
Nik Yusri Musa, Marwan Ismail, & Muhammad Hafizuddin. (2020). Interpersonal Skills: An Analysis According to the Perspective of al-Quran and al-Sunnah. Journal of Social Transformation and Regional Development, 2(3), 206–213. https://doi.org/10.30880/jstard.2021.02.03.025
Noor Aznaim Abd Latib, Muhammad Syahruldeen Ahmad Rosli, Zainur Nadiyah Baharudin, Mohamad Afandu Md Ismail, & Muhamad Hasif Yahaya. (2021). Nilai-Nilai Keusahawanan Mahasiswa Akademi Pengajian Islam Kontemporari Terhadap Keinginan Membuka Perniagaan Selepas Tamat Pengajian. Journal of Fatwa Management and Research, 26(2), 172–183. https://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol26no2.408
Noor Lina Mohd Yusuf, Syed Lamsah Syed Chear, Melor Md Yunus, & Denise Koh. (2022). Pendekatan Main Peranan dalam Meningkatkan Kemahiran Komunikasi Pelajar Institut Pengajian Tinggi. Jurnal Pendidikan Malaysia, 47(1), 89–100. http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JPEN-2022-47.01SI-07
Nor Aishah Abu Samah, Shahlan Surat, & Saemah Rahman. (2022). Penglibatan Aktiviti Kokurikulum dan Kemahiran Insaniah dalam Kalangan Murid Sekolah Rendah. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7(4), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i4.1451
Norain Mod Asri, Mhd Suhaimi Ahmad, & Md Daud Ismail. (2019). Kecenderungan Keusahawanan Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Di Malaysia. Personalia Pelajar, 22(1), 77–91. https://doi.org/10.17576/personalia.2201.2019.04
Norazlinda Saad, & Surendran Sankaran. (2021). Pengetahuan dengan Kesediaan Pelajar Program Pendidikan terhadap Kursus Keusahawanan di Universiti Utara Malaysia. Sains Insani, 6(1), 25–51.
Nuntaboot, K., Boonsawasdgulchai, P., & Bubpa, N. (2019). Roles of mutual help of local community networks in community health activities: Improvement for the quality of life of older people in Thailand. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(3), 266–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.04.001
Nur Dini Eznee, & Mohamad Isa Hamzah. (2022). Kepentingan Kemahiran Insaniah terhadap kebolehpasaran graduan di Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). Jurnal Dunia Pendidikan, 4(2), 240–251.
Nur Hanan Lokman, & Noor Azuddin Yakob. (2023). Niat Keusahawanan dalam kalangan Pelajar Baharu di Universiti Awam Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 8(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v8i2.2135
Nurol-Adila. (2023). Kecenderungan Interaksi Sosial dalam Kalangan Pelajar Berbeza Kumpulan Etnik di Sekolah Menengah Terpilih di Betong,Sarawak. GEOGRAFI, 11(2), 39–66. https://doi.org/10.37134/geografi.vol11.2.3.2023
Nurul Haidah Saidon, Muhammad Ilham Ahmad Zaini, Muhammad Athif Asyraf Sukry, & Mohamad Izzuan Mohd Ishar. (2020). Amalan Kemahiran Penyesuaian dalam kalangan Pelajar Universiti: Suatu Pemerhatian Awal. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 5(7), 76–81. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v5i7.436
Othman, I. W., Mohd Shahff, M. K., Yusoff, M. S., Mohd Suki, N., Awang, H., & Jupiter, H. (2017). Pengantarabangsaan Pendidikan Tinggi: Amalan Dan Cabaran. Labuan E-Journal of Muamalat and Society (LJMS), 11(September 2021). https://doi.org/10.51200/ljms.v11i.727
Othman, M., Jantan, J., & Agos, A. M. (2023). Impak Pendekatan Pembelajaran Berasaskan Kerja Dalam Membina Kemahiran Keusahawanan Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Politeknik METrO Johor Bahru. International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and Society, 5(3), 75–89.
Rahifa Mustafa, Siti Zaiton Yahya, & Sharifah Fadiah Syed Mohd. (2019). Keberkesanan program kepimpinan dalam kalangan pemimpin pelajar Politeknik METrO Kuala Lumpur. 9th National Conference in Education - Technical & Vocational Education and Training, August, 0–17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383063337
Rashid, A., Aziz, A., Yahya, M., Ariffin, M., Rashid, A., & Aziz, A. (2024). Pengantarabangsaan : Satu Ulasan Buku Pengkomersialan dan ( Democratization , Commercialization and Internationalization of Higher Education : A Book Review ). 9(4).
Rorlinda Yusof, Tengku Elmi Azlina Tengku Muda, Hakimie Zainal Abidin, Azrina Md Azhari, & Siti Aishah Hassan. (2024). Kepimpinan Dan Hubungannya Dengan Pencapaian Akademik Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Pintar Dan Berbakat Program Asasi Pintar Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar, 27(2), 79–93. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.17576/personalia.2702.2024.08
Safura Ahmad Sabri, Hanis Fatihah Mohamad Nazan, & Nurauliani Jamlus Rafdi. (2022). Hubungan di antara Kaedah Pembelajaran Koperatif dengan Kemahiran Bekerja Secara Berpasukan dalam Kalangan Pelajar KUIS. Journal of Management & Muamalah, 12(1), 94–106. http://jmm.kuis.edu.my/index.php/jurnal/article/view/122
Salwani Daud, & Mohd Safarin Nordin. (2023). Elemen Pelaksanaan Pendidikan Keusahawanan Dalam Program Latihan Kemahiran Tvet : Suatu Penelitian Terhadap Masalah Dan Cabaran. E-Bangi Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 20(3), 96–114. https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2023.2003.09
Siti Kausar Zakaria, & Mohd Noor Daud. (2021). Penjanaan Kemahiran Insaniah Melalui Gaya Pembelajaran dan Kecerdasan Pelbagai. Jurnal Dunia Pendidikania, 3(4), 65–76.
Siti Nor Amalina Ahmad Tajuddin, & Farah Fazlinda Mohamad. (2023). Komunikasi , Interaksi dan Penglibatan Antara Guru-Pelajar dalam Pendidikan. In Tinta Bahasa (Issue January, pp. 159–177).
Suhaila Nadzri, Salmy Edawati Yaacob, Nuradli Ridzwan Shah Mohd Dali, & Mohamad Sabri Haron. (2021). Pembinaan Elemen Akhlak Dalam Saft Keusahawanan Islam Berpandukan Al-Quran. Proceeding of the 8th International Conference on Management and Muamalah 2021 (ICoMM 2021), 2021(ICoMM), 200–220.
Syahrina Abdullah, & Mohamad Khadafi. (2023). Kebijaksanaan Dan Strategi Keusahawanan Islam Pasca Covid-19. Journal of Business Management and Accounting, 13(1), 107–127. https://doi.org/10.32890/jbma2023.13.1.5
Wan Azhar Wan Ismail, & Wan Muhammad Marzudi Wan Muhammad. (2021). Peranan Kokurikulum Dalam Membentuk Kemahiran Komunikasi , Kepimpinan dan Bekerja Dalam Kumpulan Terhadap Pelajar. Jurnal Kejuruteraan, Teknologi Dan Sains Sosial, 7(2), 1–7.
Zainur Rijal Abdul Razak, Hassan, F., & Shaharuddin, A. (2021). Promosi Dan Pengurusan Pelajar Siswazah Antarabangsa USIM Pasca Covid-19. Ulum Islamiyyah, 33(S5), 209–226. https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol33nos5.455
Zulkifeli, M. F., Mohd Ishar, M. I., & Abdul Hamid, M. Z. (2022). Elemen Kemahiran Insaniah Pelajar Pendidikan TVET Semasa Menjalani Latihan Praktikal. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 7(8), e001659. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v7i8.1659
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Abd Aziz Rekan, Nurhasfirah Rosin, Muhamad Nasir Mohamad Salleh, Asyraf Isyraqi Jamil, Miftachul Huda, Muhammad Baiqun Isbahi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Mendeley
Zotero
Grammarly
Spelling & Grammar
Turnitin 
