The Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has held its first-ever guest lecture on soft skills, drawing strong participation from both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The lecture, titled "Soft Skills for Career Acceleration,” was organised as part of IDL’s commitment to holistic student development.

It aimed to equip students with vital non-technical competencies that are increasingly in demand in today’s competitive job market.

Mrs Selina Doe Angmor, Director of the KNUST Career Services Centre, served as the guest speaker. Her presentation explored key soft skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, negotiation, time management, and teamwork.

Participants learned that while hard skills relate to specific knowledge or technical expertise, soft skills are transferable traits that cut across all industries and professional roles.

A major theme of the lecture was emotional intelligence (EI). Drawing on psychologist Daniel Goleman’s framework, the session explored the four pillars of EI: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.

Real-life scenarios and group reflection were featured in the discussion.

Many students expressed appreciation for the relevance of the topic and called for more sessions that connect academic learning with life and career readiness.

IDL Director Professor Anthony Andrews praised the success of the lecture and reaffirmed the Institute’s focus on producing well-rounded graduates.

“This initiative was added to our academic calendar to reinforce IDL commitment towards cultivating a culture of lifelong learning. Through this Guest Lecture Series, we aim to position you for excellence beyond tertiary education,” he said.

He envisions the event to become a regular feature of the IDL student experience, with future topics addressing other essential competencies for career and personal growth.