Integration with IliaUni Science Picnic 2025

The NAD2 event is embedded within IliaUni Science Picnic 2025, a large-scale public engagement initiative held in the university courtyard from 13:00 to 17:00. The Science Picnic aims to:

1. Promote science and research in an engaging, accessible format
2. Showcase modern scientific achievements through interactive exhibitions and live experiments
3. Attract visitors of all ages and backgrounds, fostering curiosity and lifelong learning

Participants will explore fascinating demonstrations in physics, chemistry, biology, and more. Alongside IliaUni researchers, the event features contributions from:

• International education organizations
• Public and private schools
• Private sector innovators

This initiative is more than entertainment—it’s a platform for contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education, by making science and learning accessible, inclusive, and inspiring.

Participants will explore fascinating demonstrations in physics, chemistry, biology, and more. Alongside IliaUni researchers, the event features contributions from:

• International education organizations
• Public and private schools
• Private sector innovators

This initiative is more than entertainment—it’s a platform for contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education, by making science and learning accessible, inclusive, and inspiring.

Contribution to SDG 4 – Quality Education

The NAD2 event and IliaUni Science Picnic 2025 jointly support UN Sustainable Development Goal 4:

“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

This contribution is realized through:

• Practical learning: Interactive scientific experiments and demonstrations foster critical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving skills
• Inclusive education: The Science Picnic is open to all, promoting access to quality educational experiences regardless of age or background
• Lifelong learning: Activities inspire both children and adults to explore the wonders of science and remain engaged in continuous learning

In this context, the Erasmus+ project “Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with the 21st Century Labour Market Requirements” (DeSIRe) plays a pivotal role. The project aims to improve the teaching of soft skills in Georgian and Armenian higher education institutions by aligning educational practices with the growing demand for such competencies in the labor market.

Despite ongoing efforts, a significant gap remains between the soft skills embedded in academic programs and those demanded by employers. DeSIRe addresses this challenge by:

• Modernizing curricula to better integrate soft skills across disciplines
• Developing specialized modules on topics such as media literacy, diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship
• Embedding these modules into existing study programs and offering them as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) to reach broader audiences
• Enhancing educational accessibility through digital resources and promoting flexible learning pathways

By bridging the gap between education and employment, DeSIRe directly supports the principles of SDG 4—ensuring inclusive, high-quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.