On
September 25, 2025, Sokhumi State University hosted an Awareness Day as part of
the Erasmus+ project “Developing Soft Skills in Higher Education Institutions
of Armenia and Georgia to Meet the Demands of the 21st-Century Labor Market.”
In
recent years, the concept of soft skills has gained increasing attention in the
context of education. Unlike technical knowledge tied to a specific field, soft
skills are universal abilities that benefit individuals in any profession or
role. They foster effective communication, teamwork, leadership,
problem-solving, and adaptability, as well as qualities such as critical
thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and ethical professionalism. These
competencies are crucial both for personal development and for professional
growth.
The
project, coordinated by Vanadzor State University with Sokhumi State University
as a partner, aims to support the advancement of higher education in Georgia
and Armenia, improve students’ career opportunities, and align academic
programs with modern labor market requirements. Planned outcomes include the
development of ten soft skills modules to be incorporated into undergraduate
and graduate curricula, as well as the preparation of two textbooks. Such
initiatives are designed to ensure that education remains relevant to
employers’ needs and that graduates are equipped to compete successfully in
today’s job market.
During
the event at the Soft Skills Laboratory, students were welcomed by Rector
Professor Thea Jugheli, who highlighted the importance of soft skills in
achieving success. Professor Indira Dzagania, Head of the Department of
International Relations and Intercultural Communications and project
coordinator, presented the project’s objectives, expected outcomes, and
upcoming activities.
Associate
Professor Rusudan Phiphia from the Faculty of Education Sciences delivered a
presentation on “Developing Critical Thinking in Educational Institutions.”
Assistant Professor Maia Aghaia of the Faculty of Humanities discussed digital
literacy and conducted a workshop on teamwork and conflict management, in which
students actively participated.
The
event concluded with closing remarks by Associate Professor Marina Turava, Dean
of the Faculty of Humanities, who thanked the coordinator and participants for
their contributions to the successful initiative.