On June 6-7, 2024, the second coordination meeting of the Erasmus+ project took place in Tbilisi, Georgia. During this meeting, project partners discussed progress on activities and planned Design Thinking workshops for higher education educators.
In Tbilisi, at the Business and Technology University (BTU), representatives from partner universities gathered to discuss the progress of the Erasmus+ project Design Thinking as a Method of Soft Skills and Digital Skills Development in Higher Education to Increase Employability. Representatives from Slovakia and Georgia attended in person, while their colleagues from the Czech Republic and Spain joined online.
One of the main objectives of the meeting was to present the progress made in the project and to review the results of the survey conducted among higher education faculty at all partner universities. The survey, which involved 274 respondents, provided valuable insights into the current state of innovative teaching methods at the participating universities. The key findings from the survey have been published in a separate article. This was followed by a lively discussion in which participants shared their observations based on the data. “We were very pleased to see that for the vast majority of colleagues—regardless of the country—participating in various training sessions is a matter of course,” said Ani Chelishvili from Business and Technology University in Tbilisi. “The motivation of people to continue updating their knowledge and skills is an excellent starting point for the upcoming Design Thinking courses,” she added.
In the next agenda item, participants discussed the current status of the website, which is intended to serve as a platform for sharing information and resources among partners, potential Design Thinking enthusiasts from the higher education sector, and to a lesser extent, the general public.
The main focus of the program was the preparation for the upcoming workshops and courses to be held in Pamplona, Trnava, and Prague. Participants addressed practical issues related to organization, including the preparation of handouts for participants and other organizational matters. There was also discussion on budget management and documentation of activities, which is crucial for the transparency and successful progress of the project.
After the official discussions, participants enjoyed a tour of Tbilisi, which contributed to strengthening relationships and enhancing cooperation among project partners. The meeting in Tbilisi was a long-awaited in-person gathering that allowed for the effective resolution of various practical issues related to the planned courses and ongoing activities. Additionally, it provided an opportunity for informal interactions among partners, which is a crucial aspect of the project, as understanding and good relationships are the foundation for future collaborations and sharing of experiences.
“I thoroughly enjoyed this meeting,” admitted Renata Miklenčičová from the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. “Such personal meetings advance my work significantly. Seeing the conditions under which teaching takes place at other universities, talking with colleagues, and experiencing a different cultural context is incredibly inspiring. I feel a new surge of motivation, which naturally wanes during the semester.” The sentiment is shared by other participants as well. We look forward to the upcoming meetings and activities that lie ahead in this project.