New Teaching Course “CSR in the European Union” Within the frameworks of the Jean Monnet Module CSREU (Three-Year Results)

In 2022, for the first time at Sokhumi State University, Jean Monnet Module (Jean Monnet Activities - Erasmus+ Program (ERASMUS) ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH - CSREU) was selected for co-financing by the European Commission. The Manager of the three-year Jean Monnet Module „Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Union: Experience for Georgia" is Professor Larisa Takalandze (Faculty of Business and Social Sciences). The general objective of the project is to improve the quality of study programs at Sokhumi State University (SSU) in the field of European integration. The Module includes a new teaching course Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Union”, a Summer School for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and several events in CSR. 

In the Spring of 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 academic years, within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module CSREU under Bachelor educational program of the SSU, the new teaching course “Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Union“ (50 classroom/contact hours; 50 hours including: Lecture/Seminars - 45 hours, Midterm Examination – 2 hours, Final Examination - 3hours)  were introduced and conducted at Sokhumi State University. The teaching course was compulsory for students of bachelor programs in “Business Administration” at the expense of free elective subjects, whereas for the students of any bachelor’s degree program was elective (the Resolution of the Academic Council on the implementation of the new teaching course "Corporate Social Responsibility in the European Union" was adopted (https://www.sou.edu.ge/images/file/news_event/1753083487--Resolution.pdf)

The purpose of studying is to form basic theoretical knowledge in the sphere of CSR in the EU, peculiarities of the public policy, ethics. The educational field of the teaching course “CSR in the European Union” assumes that having studied the course students will be better informed about the EU studies, EU Instruments for Smart and Sustainable Growth, EU-Georgia Association Agreement (AA), main forms of the CSR in the EU, characteristics public policies on CSR in the EU, CSR under COVID-19 Corona virus Pandemic, etc.

Final results of the teaching course and student evaluation:

During the 2022-2023 Academic Years, 223 students are registered for the new course (instead of 150 students provided by the project). Later, one of them was suspended for non-payment. Accordingly, 222 students were registered: 108 (48,%) females and 114 (51,4%) males. 

A positive assessment was given to 145 (65.3%) students: 83 (57.2%) females and 62 (42.8%) males.

During the 2023-2024 Academic Years, 210 students were enrolled. Later, two of them were suspended for non-payment. Accordingly, 208 students were registered: 101 (48,5%) females and 107 (51,5%) males.

A positive assessment was given to 103 (49.5%) students: 60 (58.3%) females and 43 (41.7%) males.

During the 2024-2025 Academic Years, 150 students are registered for the teaching course (as provided by the project). Later, 19 of them were suspended for non-payment. Accordingly, 131 students were registered: 35 (23,3%) females and 96 (76,7%) males.

A positive assessment was given to 78 (59.5%) students: 22 (16.8%) females and 56 (83.2%) males.

Thus, in total, in the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 Academic Years, 561 students completed the teaching Course, of whom 244 (43,5%) were females, 317 (56,5 %)  males

A positive assessment was received by 326 students (58.1 %): 165 females (50.6 %), 161 (49.4%) males

It is noteworthy that the course was a compulsory subject for 75 students over three years, of which 61 students received a positive assessment (81.3% of the total).

High and Good grades (in total over three years) were received by 31 students, 17 of whom are girls and 14 boys.  

It should also be noted meetings of entrepreneurs (Acto Group’s, TBC, Construction Company "Arena Residence"), CSR experts (Tegeta Holding, MBC) with students involved in the teaching process (see https://tinyurl.com/37uh7due    https://tinyurl.com/4nwum9zz     https://tinyurl.com/mrnycp23 ) 

The text-book “CSR in the European Union” was developed at the SSU and published within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module CSREU   https://zenodo.org/records/10775964 . The published text-books “CSR in the European Union” are disseminated among Georgian Universities and libraries. It should be noted that students were involved in the evaluation process, for this purpose student questionnaires have been developed and surveys are conducted. Criteria, regulations and procedures for student surveys have been developed by Quality Assurance Office of the University. Student surveys were conducted at the end of each academic year. The survey was anonymous and confidential. Within the framework of the project, the University’s Quality Assurance Office conducted a survey between 2023 and 2025 involving a total of 39 students, primarily those with high academic performance. In this anonymous survey, the students shared their views and opinions regarding the academic course. It should be emphasized that the students’ expressed interest and positive feedback serve as a significant source of motivation for future activities.  

Information about the teaching course is available on the web-page within the space of SSU web-page:

https://www.sou.edu.ge/content/7/78/218/120/0  

https://shorturl.at/SIDRu  (2022-2023)

https://shorturl.at/eFg9R (2023-2024)

https://shorturl.at/70tGh  (2024-2025)

 

as well as in various magazines and information sources:

·         linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larisa-takalandze-96675751

https://lnkd.in/degnfyFJ   https://lnkd.in/dT5cvUMC  https://lnkd.in/djB8jSw9   

 

·         Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SokhumiStateUniversity

https://www.facebook.com/larisa.takalandze

Jean Monnet Module Sokhumi

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Tjrm7cqmxGRubTMjC84zbH9xv3fRn9yAtKwKmHbN3oXCKiwE1zmfnDLtBtYL9RKgl&id=100086030971053

·         International Scientific-Analytical Journal Business&Law,

https://www.ojs.b-k.ge/index.php/bk/issue/view/80/45 N1, 2025, pp.88 

·          Newspaperსოხუმის უნივერსიტეტი, April, 2025

               https://www.sou.edu.ge/images/file/1746301520--APRILI%202025.pdf    p.3