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Students and employers perceptions differential on soft skills: An analysis for university students
2026-02-04 - Carvalho, Margarita; Azevedo, Mónica; Pacheco, Luís Miguel
In an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven labour market, the development and assessment of soft skills have gained significant relevance. While higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in preparing students for professional challenges, concerns persist regarding the alignment between the skills students develop and those expected by employers. This study investigates whether students’ perceptions of employers’ expectations are aligned with their self-assessments of soft skills, and if those perceptions vary according to gender and level of professional experience. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 384 students from a Portuguese HEI. Results reveal a statistically significant gap between what students believe employers expect and how well they feel they meet those expectations. Gender-based differences emerged, with male students emphasising strategic and instrumental skills, while female students reporting higher confidence in relational competencies. The study also finds that students with higher self-perceived skills are more willing to invest financially in further development. These findings reinforce the need for HEIs to adopt more targeted and inclusive strategies for soft skills development, in close collaboration with employers. The study contributes to the growing discourse on graduate employability and offers practical implications for curriculum design and career readiness initiatives.
Spirituality and the Quest for Transcendence on the Portuguese Way of St. James
2025-05-21 - Braga, José Luís; Pazos Otón, Miguel; Borges, Isabel
The pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is a kind of proto tourism in a world where the number of pilgrimages has increased considerably. In the past the only motivation for such pilgrimages was religious, today we are witnessing the emergence of new motivations, such as cultural and even sporting ones. The research questions that guide this study are the following: Are faith and religion still strong enough motivations to justify pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela? Are there points of convergence between religious and secular pilgrims? Can the Camino be a means of awakening religious vocations? In short, what is the role of religion in modern pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago? This research presents results of and applied case study based on the collection of data through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, focusing on the guest books of a hostel and a restaurant, both related to the Camino de Santiago. This researchers carried out a thematic analysis of the qualitative data collected. The main categories analysed in this article are three: the essence of the Way, evangelisation and, the pilgrimage process. The paper suggests that the Way of St James has given rise to a new spirituality based on values such as solidarity, cosmopolitanism, cooperation, friendship, empathy and mutual help.
Affective User Experience (AUX) in Immersive Environments: A Systematic Review of Affective Computing in Immersive Environments for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
2026-02-02 - Foix, Anais Monserrat; Cano, Sandra; Osega, Jose; Moreira, Fernando
This study examines the integration of affective computing within immersive environments, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), to support affective user experience (AUX) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-eight published empirical studies were analyzed following PRISMA guidelines, focusing on affective modalities, immersive technologies, methodological approaches, and intervention outcomes. Results indicate that immersive systems increasingly incorporate physiological sensing, eye-tracking, behavioral analytics, and, to a lesser extent, facial and speech recognition. Although 89% of studies rely on unimodal affective signals, emerging multimodal frameworks demonstrate enhanced adaptability and real-time emotional responsiveness. VR remains the predominant platform due to its high immersive capacity and controlled manipulation of social stimuli, while AR support interaction in everyday contexts, offering higher accessibility. Across studies, immersive affective systems show consistent benefits in emotion recognition, anxiety reduction, engagement, and social communication. However, the field is limited by small sample sizes, restricted real-world contextual relevance, and a lack of standardized AUX evaluation frameworks. This review identifies methodological gaps and proposes future research directions involving adaptive affective systems, low-cost sensors, and inclusive, longitudinal designs aimed at achieving emotionally intelligent, scalable, and context-aware immersive interventions for people with ASD.