The Perceptions of Academic Leaders for the Twenty-First Century Skills Necessary for Higher Education Students in Light of the Knowledge Society Requirements

The study aimed to identify the perceptions of academic leaders for the twenty-first century skills necessary for higher education students in light of the knowledge society requirements. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method, and a study tool that was prepared and verified for its validity and reliability. The study sample consisted of (224) academic leaders of Saudi official universities in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The results of the study showed that the perceptions of the study sample for the 21st century skills necessary for higher education students was high. The results of the study also showed that the degree of compatibility of higher education programs and practices with the 21st century skills was medium. The results of the study also indicated that there were no statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 0.05) to estimate the study sample of the twenty-first century skills necessary for higher education students due to the variables (academic specialization, academic rank, job position). The study recommended the need to formulate and adopt a renewable vision of universities based on the reality, needs, and philosophy of the society, and the development of curricula to be compatible with the 21st century skills necessary for higher education students