Future-Oriented Skills for International Students in Colleges of Education at Saudi Universities

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the future-oriented skills of international students in colleges of education at Saudi universities from the perspectives of experts, and to examine the contribution of graduate programs in the Department of Foundations of Education at the College of Education, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, to developing these skills from the students’ perspectives. The study adopted a futures research approach using the Delphi technique to identify the skills guiding the future of international students in colleges of education at Saudi universities. A qualitative approach was also employed through a case study design based on in-depth interviews with international students to explore the role of graduate programs in developing these skills. The study population consisted of two groups: (21) experts and (16) international students. The findings indicated that experts reached consensus on (48) future-oriented skills classified into six domains: personal and social, cultural, cognitive, leadership and administrative, educational and pedagogical, and digital skills. In addition, the results showed that graduate programs in the Department of Foundations of Education contribute to developing these skills through academic policies and regulations, curricula, university faculty members, the university environment, and student activities.