Abstract:
Extra-curricular activities in higher education institutions play an important role in developing soft skills among the student. The activities are crucial in complementing the students’ academic achievement and preparation for the job market upon graduation from the university. The aim of this article is to highlight the development of soft skills among UTHM students involved in extra-curricular activities, with a discourse on the advantages as well as disadvantages for such engagement among active students. A total of six (6) students active in extra-curricular activities were identified and interviewed for the study presented. The interviewee were active participants of extra-curricular activities at UTHM, i.e. Siswa Siswi Pertahanan Awam (SISPA), Pasukan Askar Simpanan (PALAPES), the Rowing Club and Oration Club. Based on the interviews, it was found that the involvement in extra-curricular activities helps students to develop soft skills, especially in terms of critical thinking, creativity and innovation. However, students lacking self-discipline and good time management skills may feel the activities to be a burden, causing tiredness and negligence during academic classes. It is therefore essential for students to first develop self-discipline when engaging in extra-curricular activities to avoid negligence of their studies and academic performance. In brief, such activities could instil a keen sense of social responsibility and readiness to volunteer in times of need among the students. Cultivation of such social awareness and voluntarism contributes to nurturing a nation of well-educated citizens with enhanced “human touch”.
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