TAU Highlights Engineers Urged to Master Soft Skills for Career Growth

The School of Technology at The Apollo University organized a transformative Student Development Program on "The Soft Side of Engineering: Key Skills for Success" on 4th July 2025 at the Dr. Prathap C. Reddy Knowledge Centre. Dr. S. V. Ramesh Kumar, a Lecturer in English at Government Degree College, Pakala, delivered an insightful session that captured the essence of his impactful presentation and delivered insights into the critical contributions of soft skills in determining the outcome of any first successful engineering career.

The formal inauguration of the event by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. H. Vinod Bhat, along with a thought-provoking address by Dr. Bhat initiated the session on the "Soft Side of Engineering: Key Skills for Success". Dr. Bhat, noted that while technical skills may account for as much as 80% of one’s success early on as an engineer, the situation reverses and eventually develops gradually - where soft skills account for 80% of long-term success while hard skills, though still important, play a supporting role.

“You may be a master in your field, but communication, leadership, empathy, creativity, and other complementary skills are the icing on the cake,” Dr. Bhat noted. He encouraged students to see soft skills not as an accessory, but as a core component of personal growth and professional achievement. His words served as a reminder that a complete engineer is not just defined by technical ability, but by the ability to collaborate, adapt, and lead.

The resource person, Dr. S. V. Ramesh Kumar, delivered a highly engaging and relatable session. Drawing from real-life experiences and examples, he walked students through the importance of effective communication, team collaboration, presentation skills, leadership, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. He urged students to step outside their comfort zones and start working on these competencies early, as they are critical to navigating interviews, managing projects, leading teams, and innovating in dynamic workspaces. The session was also graced by Prof. A. Sethuramasubbiah, Controller of Examinations, who praised the initiative and highlighted its value in complementing academic learning with life skills.

Dr. D. Jagadeesan, Dean, School of Technology, served as the convener of the event, reaffirming the School’s commitment to holistic education. The event was coordinated by Dr. S. Feroz Begum, Assistant Professor of English, School of Technology, whose efforts ensured a seamless and impactful learning experience.

Students walked away from the session not just informed—but transformed—armed with new perspectives on what it truly takes to thrive in the ever-evolving world of engineering and technology.