Webinar on 21st Century Job Skills & Professional Values
On September 11th, 2023, under the patronage of Dr. Ahmad Ismail Assiri, the Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Translation (clt), the Alumni Unit hosted a webinar on “21st Century Job Skills and Professional Values”. The webinar was held from 8 pm to 9 pm and had a diverse group of participants, including international and graduate students from the faculty. The speaker for the event was Mr. Javed Ahmad, Campus Coordinator of the English Language Center at Alfaraa’ campus, and the meeting was hosted by the Alumni Unit Supervisor, Mohsin Raza Khan.
The speaker at the event, Mr. Javed Ahmad, emphasized that the world of work is changing rapidly. In this new world, 21st-century job skills and professional values are essential for success. In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, acquiring the right job skills is essential for professional success. The 21st century has brought about significant changes in the job market, fueled by technological advancements, and shifting industry demands. Automation and artificial intelligence are transforming many industries, and new jobs are emerging in fields that were once unimaginable. To thrive in this new era, individuals must equip themselves with a diverse range of skills that blend technical expertise along with hard skills and critical soft skills.
Mr. Javed broadly categorized these skills into three categories: foundational literacies, competencies, and character qualities. He further explained the foundational literacies which include literacy, numeracy, scientific literacy, information and communicational literacy, financial literacy, and cultural and civic literacy. While discussing the competencies, he emphasized the importance of the 4 Cs which are critical thinking and problem solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Curiosity, initiative, persistence/grit, adaptability, leadership, and social and cultural awareness are the parts of the character qualities, Mr. Javed said.
Mr. Ahmad focused on learning and innovation skills including the ability to think critically, solve problems, and be creative. These skills are essential for workers who need to be able to adapt to change and come up with new ideas, navigate the complex digital world, and make informed decisions. Life and career skills include the ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and manage time and resources effectively. These skills are essential for workers who need to be able to succeed in any work environment.
Mr. Javed advised the attendees that professional values are the beliefs and principles that guide a person's behavior in the workplace. These values are important for building trust, creating a positive work environment, and achieving success. Some important professional values he mentioned in the webinar includes honesty and integrity: being truthful and ethical in all dealings, respect: treating others with dignity and consideration, responsibility: taking ownership of one's work and being accountable for one's actions, reliability: being dependable and trustworthy, teamwork: being able to work effectively with others to achieve common goals.
While addressing the question-answer session, one of the attendees, Mr. Mahdi asks 'Why are 21st Century Job Skills and Professional Values Important'? Mr. Javed explained that 21st-century job skills and professional values are important for success in the workplace because they enable workers to adapt to change, solve problems effectively, be creative and innovative, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, build trust and relationships, achieve success, etc.
During the session, Mr. Maan enquired about ‘How to Develop 21st Century Job Skills and Professional Values’ to which the speaker responded that one can do several things to develop 21st-century job skills and professional values. Mr. Ahmad shared some tips which are as mentioned, get a good education, get involved in extracurricular activities, take on internships and volunteer work, networking with professionals can help you to learn about different career paths and get advice on how to succeed.
The webinar concluded with Mr. Javed thanking all the students and staff who participated, noting that the Alumni Unit is a valuable resource to our students.
Mohsin Raza Khan, Alumni Unit Supervisor, thanked on behalf of the Alumni Unit, clt, all the attendees who participated and mentioned that the Alumni Unit will continuously work for students to gain insight and knowledge in their respective career fields.
