On September 27, 2024, Vanadzor State University (VSU) hosted the National Awareness Day (NAD1) aimed at developing soft skills in higher education institutions in Armenia and Georgia to align with 21st-century labor market requirements. The event took place in a collaborative and engaging environment at VSU’s SMART CAFFE, highlighting the project’s objectives and achievements. The event commenced with a welcoming address by VSU Rector Dr. R. Sahakyan, who emphasized the importance of soft skills in modern education and their critical role in meeting labor market demands. Dr. Lusik Vardanyan, Coordinator of the DeSIRe Project, provided an overview of the project’s objectives, work packages, and expected outcomes, highlighting the vital role of soft skills in enhancing both educational and professional competencies in Armenia and Georgia. Dr. Gohar Dokholyan, Co-Coordinator of the DeSIRe Project, introduced two key online training courses delivered under the project, focusing on Educational Data Mining and Creation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

Additionally, Dr. Ghukas Ghukasyan, Financial Manager of the Project, outlined the equipment acquisition process, emphasizing the significance of equipping higher education institutions with modern tools to support the development of soft skills. Dr. Lusine Kostandyan, Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs and MEDIA Project member, briefly introduced the Media Project, which aims to strengthen the quality of online education in higher education institutions in Moldova and Armenia. Dr. Vanane Mirzoyan, an expert in the external evaluation of the EMI Centres, provided an in-depth overview of the SMARTI Project. This initiative supports innovative methodologies, approaches, and tools for teaching through the medium of English, thereby enhancing educational effectiveness, sustainability, and internationalization.

A panel discussion, moderated by Anna Khachatryan, Head of the VSU QA Centre, brought together panelists: Dr. Lusine Kostandyan, Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs; Dr. Varduhi Hovsepyan, Vice-Rector of Scientific Affairs; Dr. Armine Gevorgyan, Senior Lecturer of the Chair of Economics, Law, and Management; Mr Henri Matinyan, Lecturer of the Chair of History; and Ms Nare Hovhannisyan, Lecturer of the Chair of Pedagogy and Psychology. Conducted in a warm and constructive atmosphere, the discussion explored the challenges and opportunities of integrating soft skills development into higher education curricula. The event concluded with closing remarks and a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage deeply with the project’s objectives and implementation strategies.

The National Awareness Day was a significant success, fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders. It exemplified a strong commitment to advancing soft skills in Armenia’s and Georgia’s higher education systems. By showcasing the collaborative spirit and innovative approaches of the DeSIRe, MEDIA, and SMARTI projects, the event laid a solid foundation for future advancements in education and workforce development.