Appendix 4

Soft Skills Categories

Below are the detailed descriptions for each soft skill category. KIM stands for
Kemahiran Insaniah Mesti or Must Have Soft Skill.
(Soft Skills Development Module for Institution of Higher Learning Malaysia, Ministry
of Higher Education of Malaysia 2006)

Communication Skills
Communication skills incorporate the ability to communicate effectively in Bahasa
Melayu and English across a range of contexts and audiences. The explanations of
the elements of communication skills are as follows:

LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION

CS 1 KIM Ability to present information and express ideas
clearly, effectively and confidently through written
and oral modes.

CS 2 KIM Ability to actively listen and respond to the ideas of

other people

CS 3 KIM Ability to make clear and confident presentation

appropriate to audience

CS 4 Ability to use technology in presentation

CS 5 Ability to negotiate and reach agreement

CS 6 Ability to communicate with other members in

different culture
CS 7 Ability to generate personal communication skills

CS 8 Ability to use non-verbal communication skills

Critical thinking And Problem Solving Skills

Critical thinking and problem solving (CTPS) incorporates the ability to think critically,
logically, creatively and analytically:

LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION

CTPS 1 KIM Ability to define and analyse problems in complex,
overlaping, ill-defined domains and make well-
supported judgment

CTPS 2 KIM Ability to initiate and implement charge such as

explain, analyse and evaluation during discuss

CTPS 3 KIM Ability to express for alternative ideas and solutions

CTPS 4 Ability to think outside the box

CTPS 5 Ability to prove evidence in decision making
CTPS 6 Ability to be resilient and persistent, and to stay
focused on the task

CTPS 7 Ability to comprehend and adapt to the culture of a

new community and work environment

Teamwork Skills
Team Skills involve the ability to cooperate with people from a variety of socio-
cultural background in order to achive a common goal. Five levels of team skills are
illustrated below.

LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION

TS 1 KIM Able to create a good relation, interact and work
collaboratively with others in order to achive a smiliar
goal.

TS 2 KIM Able to understand ones role and take roles

interchangeably among leader and members of a
group.

TS 3 KIM Able to recognize and respect acts, attitudes and

trust of others.
TS 4 Able to contribute to plans and coordinate product of
a group.
TS 5 Be responsible toward decisions of a group.

Information Management and Life-long Learning Skills

Life-long learning involves working independently in order to obtain skills and
knowledge. Three levels of Life-long learning are illustrated below.

LEVEL SKILLS DESCRIPTION

LL 1 KIM Able to search and manage relevant information from
a variety of sources.Able to seek relevant information
from a variety of sources
LL 2 KIM Able to be open to new ideas and to have
the capacity for self-directed or autonomous
learning
LL 3 KIM Able to develop a curiosity and passion for
knowledge.

Entrepreneurship Skills
Entrepreneurship Skills involve the ability to explore opportunities and develop risk
awareness, creativity and innovation in activities related to areas of business and
employment. Four levels of Entrepreneurship Skills are illustrated below:
LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION
ES 1 KIM Able to identify business opportunities.

ES 2 Able to design business plans

ES 3 Able to design, explore and compete for business and

employment opportunities
ES 4 Able to work independently

Professional Ethics and Morals

Professional Ethics and Morals (EM) involve the abiliity to apply high moral standards
in professional practice and social interaction as illustrated below :

LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION

EM 1 KIM Ability to understand the economical, natural and
socio-cultural effects in professional practice.
EM 2 KIM Ability to analyze and make decision to solve
problems involving ethical issues
EM 3 Ability to practise good ethics besides being
responsible for the society.

Leadership Skills
Leadership skills involve the ability to show leadership in various activities as shown
below :

LEVEL SKILL DESCRIPTION

LS 1 KIM Ability to understand basis leadership theory.

LS 2 KIM Ability to lead project.

LS 3 Ability to understand and take turns alternately

between the group leader and members.
LS 4 Ability to lead the group (guide) members.