PG and Research Department of English (Self Supported Stream)
"one‑day workshop on “Soft Skills vs Hard Skills – Why Communication Matters More in Hiring"
The Department of English, Nehru Memorial College, organized a one‑day workshop on “Soft Skills vs Hard Skills – Why Communication Matters More in Hiring” for students on 3rd January 2026. The aim was to highlight the importance of communication skills in today’s competitive job market and to help students understand how soft skills complement technical knowledge during hiring.
The resource person was Dr. Vinnaras Nithyanantham, Professor, School of Doctoral Studies, UNICAF University, Cyprus. In his address, he explained the difference between hard skills such as technical knowledge and subject expertise, and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem‑solving. He stated that while hard skills may help a candidate get shortlisted, effective communication often determines the final selection and career growth. He placed special emphasis on verbal and non‑verbal communication, interview skills, confidence building, and workplace etiquette. He shared real‑life examples from recruitment processes to show that employers prefer candidates who clearly express ideas, have the ability to work well in teams, and communicate professionally. He also answered the questions from both faculty and students, clarifying doubts and enriching the understanding of the topic.
Shri. Pon. Balasubramanian, B.E., President of the College Committee, extended strong support to ensure the programme’s success. His encouragement inspired the organizers to plan the event meticulously and strengthened the collective effort, enabling the programme to be conducted smoothly and successfully.
Shri. Pon. Ravichandran, Secretary of the College Committee, gave steadfast encouragement to the programme.
Dr. A. Venkatesan, Principal, delivered a compelling felicitation address. He spoke about the three essential things in life—health, wealth, and happiness—and linked the acquisition of wealth to developing a set of skills, especially effective communication. He cited an example of an IAS officer securing 11th rank, and praised the department for bringing an international speaker to the college. Dr. K.T. Tamilmani, Vice‑Principal, delivered his felicitation address, noting that communication is part of life from infancy and is essential in every activity. He shared his personal experiences, offered tips and strategies to improve communication, and discussed how to avoid miscommunication, misunderstandings, and barriers between speaker and receiver. He emphasized how good communication opens many possibilities, including interacting with foreigners and strangers.
Dr. M. Meenakshisundaram, Coordinator, felicitated the event and guided the organizers at every step to ensure smooth conduct. His support was acknowledged as highly valuable.
The session was interactive, featuring activities, discussions, and question‑and‑answer rounds. Students actively participated and gained practical insights into improving their communication skills for interviews and professional life. The workshop was informative and beneficial, encouraging students to develop strong communication skills along with academic knowledge.
A total of 110 students from various departments—English, MCA, MBA, and B.Ed.—attended and were benefited greatly. Twelve staff members were also present.
The programme began with a warm welcome address by Mr. A. Udayakumar, Assistant Professor of English. It concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. T. Antony Cruz, Assistant Professor of English. The programme was organized by Prof. S. Manikandan, Department of English.
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