Abstract:
In order to enhance the employability of graduates, higher education institutions have
incorporated soft skills course modules into the curriculum of their academic programmes.
This study aims to determine the relationship between soft skills and academic performance
among students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Ruhuna.
A sample of 53 undergraduates from 242 was selected, applying the random sampling
technique. quantitative and qualitative data analyzing techniques have been applied to grow the
conclusions. The conclusions of the study are even though soft skill is a leading upcoming
subject in practice, that has not been occupied maximal in Art degree course in university yet.
To solve the unemployment problem among Art degree holders’ soft skills can make a
significant role by changing the attitudes of them. The sample provides enough evidences to
prove that Art’s degree holders expect to do government job as tradition so far. That courses to
increase the unemployment rate also among educated females either. Soft skills development
course should establish in the orientation programme of students’ at the beginning of their
university life. They can plan their life and work to achieve that successfully. Finally at the end
of their university life students will not be waiting only for government scheme jobs, they will
become inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs as well. That’s is the true outcome of which
can be expected through the effective higher education system of the country.
