Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Project “Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with 21st-Century Labour Market Requirements” (DeSIRe), the Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) inaugurated its Soft Skills Laboratory. This initiative marks another important milestone in advancing educational quality and promoting the holistic development of students within Armenia’s higher education system.

The opening ceremony was attended by the ASPU Vice-Rector for Staff and International Cooperation, Marianna Harutyunyan, and the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Tigran Mikaelyan, who jointly cut the red ribbon, officially launching the new learning space.

The laboratory has been established within the DeSIRe project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme, which aims to foster the development of national education systems in Armenia and Georgia through the integration of teaching and learning methodologies, strategies, and technologies focused on soft skills.

Vice-Rector Marianna Harutyunyan expressed confidence that the laboratory, equipped with modern technology and essential literature, will serve its purpose effectively by becoming a center for both learning and innovation. She emphasized that within the framework of the DeSIRe project, several Armenian and Georgian universities are actively engaged in developing modules and introducing elective courses designed to enhance students’ soft skills and support their personal and professional growth.

During the event, students shared examples of key soft skills—such as adaptability, critical and creative thinking, leadership, communication, and time management—highlighting their importance for future educators. In response, Harutyunyan underlined that, alongside professional and subject-specific knowledge, mastering these transversal competencies is essential for every modern teacher’s success.

The Soft Skills Laboratory at ASPU is envisioned as a multifunctional environment that supports both teaching and research activities. It will provide opportunities for interactive workshops, practical sessions, and training programs aimed at developing interpersonal and leadership skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and reflective thinking.

Through this initiative, ASPU strengthens its commitment to equipping future educators with not only strong academic foundations but also the essential personal and professional competencies needed in the dynamic 21st-century labour market. The establishment of the Soft Skills Laboratory represents a forward-looking step toward fostering well-rounded, adaptable, and innovative professionals in Armenia’s education sector.

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