DO BEHAVIORAL SKILLS HAVE AN IMPACT ON GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION? A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON INDIA AND UGANDA

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore those behavioral skills graduates should possess to attract employability in higher education in India and Uganda. The study adopted a mixed methods approach which combines both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data was collected by both questionnaires and interviews from university students and staff and a sample size of 278 respondents and participants were involved in the study. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was used on the side of students while in-depth interviews were used on the side of academic staff to get their insights. Correlations were used to establish the relationships between variables while the thematic approach was used on the side of the qualitative approach. Results of the study indicated that there was a strong Positive PLCC, r = 0.739 between behavioral skills and graduate employability and PLCC, r = 0.622, both at Makerere and Andhra University respectively. There was a limited number of participants in the study.Implications of the Study are the integration of employability skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, digital literacy, teamwork , and leadership across disciplines, not just in career-specific courses to enhance employability and technology integration to Utilize technology for virtual experiences, collaborative tools to enhance digital fluency and adaptability.