The final onsite training of the DeSIRe Project was successfully held from October 6 to 10, 2025, at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. This training marked the concluding phase of the project’s capacity-building activities and focused on Module 5 (Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills), MOOC 1 (Effective Business Communication and Negotiation Skills), MOOC 4 (Conflict Resolution Skills), and MOOC 5 (Emotional and Social Intelligence). The event brought together representatives from Armenian, Georgian, and European partner institutions for a week of intensive learning, collaborative reflection, and strategic discussions aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the project’s outcomes.

The training officially opened on October 6 with a welcome address by Dr. Audrey Stenson, Head of Department Business and Humanities at IADT. She highlighted the importance of creativity, design thinking, and reflective practices in teaching soft skills across higher education institutions. Following this, Associate Professor Lusik Vardanyan, DeSIRe Project Coordinator, delivered remarks on behalf of the consortium, expressing gratitude to IADT for hosting the training and emphasizing the significance of this final stage in connecting the project’s achievements with its long-term sustainability objectives. Laura Steam, researcher at IADT, introduced the week’s programme and facilitated icebreaker activities focused on the four core topics of the training, providing participants with an engaging start to the week.

On October 7, Kate Canning presented a real-world soft skills case study that incorporated Module 5 and MOOCs 1, 4, and 5. Participants were then tasked with developing their own role-play scenarios in groups, integrating the four key topics explored throughout the training. This exercise allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, fostering collaboration and creative problem-solving skills.

The training continued on October 8 with guidance and mentoring from the IADT team, including Laura Steam, Linda Ryan, Justyna Doherty, and Philip Penny. Participants refined their role-play ideas through open discussions and group work, which took place at the Carnegie Library. Additionally, participants experienced soft skills immersive courseware through the Bodyswaps application, providing a modern, interactive approach to learning and reinforcing the practical application of the skills explored in the modules and MOOCs.

October 9 was dedicated to group presentations of the role-play scenarios. Following the presentations, the mentors and participants engaged in peer review and feedback sessions, discussing the strengths of each presentation and offering constructive suggestions for improvement. The day also featured a presentation by Marc Lalonde, Theatre Director at Dresden Technical University, on the soft skills required for performance staging. This session highlighted the application of creativity, communication, and teamwork in performing arts contexts, providing additional inspiration for participants in their soft skills development.

The training concluded on October 10 with a campus tour of IADT, followed by a structured reflection session. Participants shared face-to-face feedback on the weeklong training, discussing what worked well, identifying areas for improvement, and providing suggestions for future capacity-building activities. Discussions also focused on expanding the DeSIRe Project Alliance and strategies to sustain project outcomes beyond the training. The closure of the training emphasized both the achievements of the week and the long-term commitment of all partners to the ongoing development and application of soft skills in higher education.

The final onsite training at IADT successfully brought together all project partners for a week of active learning, collaboration, and reflection. The combination of case studies, immersive courseware, group role-plays, and feedback sessions provided a comprehensive and engaging environment for enhancing soft skills teaching. The event concluded with promising discussions on sustainability and alliance expansion, ensuring that the DeSIRe Project’s outcomes continue to have a lasting impact across participating institutions.

✔The DeSIRe Project is co-funded by the European Union.