Role of Uniform Bodies in Inculcating Leadership Skills

Leadership is demonstrated through activities that involve relations of power, and the human ability to give directions in influencing others to do something. Leadership skills can be developed through various means, methods, or activities. In particular, students are able to develop their leadership skills by participating in various co-curricular activities offered by their learning institutions. Leadership skills are crucial as possessing this ability can help to overcome the problem of unemployment among graduates. In fact, it has been revealed that current graduates cannot meet the job requirements as demanded by employers, and they lack leadership skills. In view of the importance of leadership skills in the job market, this study was undertaken to identify leadership development through student involvement in extra-curricular activities of the Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU). A quantitative survey was conducted in which questionnaires were used as the instrument to collect data from 63 respondents who were randomly selected among the first year students who attend ROTU. Data are presented through descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA using SPSS software. Based on the analysis of mean and standard deviation scores, students’ perception of the role of ROTU uniform bodies in uncovering leadership skills is modest. Meanwhile, one-way ANOVA test results show that there is no significant difference between the faculties in the development of student leadership skills. The results of this study show that student leadership needs to be improved to ensure that the feedback obtained is satisfactory. The university should also take proactive steps to encourage their students to harness their leadership skills through participation in co-curricular activities.