Report on the Seminars For: MOOC 5 Emotional and Social Intelligence

As part of the project “Development of Soft Skills at Higher Education Institutions of Armenia and Georgia in Compliance with the 21st Century Labour Market Requirements (DeSIRe)”, a training session was held at Vanadzor State University (VSU) on July 26 and 27.

These seminars followed a training session held at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Finland, and focused on MOOC 5: Emotional and Social Intelligence.

The seminar was conducted by Associate Professor Vanane Mirzoyan, Ph.D. in Psychology. Participants included 34 students and 19 representatives from the administrative and academic staff of the university.

The primary goal of the training was to develop a deeper understanding of key concepts related to Emotional and Social Intelligence.

During the seminar, the definition of Emotional Intelligence was explored in depth, along with prominent theoretical models developed by Daniel Goleman, Salovey and Mayer, and Reuven Bar-On. Special attention was given to the essential components of each model and how they apply to real-life interpersonal and professional contexts. The concept of Social Intelligence was also examined, with reference to Edward L. Thorndike’s Three-Component Model and its practical implications for effective communication, empathy, and social awareness.

In addition to theoretical discussions, the seminar incorporated an interactive segment focused on Theatre Workshop. Participants were introduced to its historical and theoretical foundations, as well as its core principles and objectives. The practical portion involved the presentation of a conflict scenario, in which roles were assigned and acted out by participants. This was followed by active audience engagement, where attendees were encouraged to intervene, propose alternative solutions, and reflect on the outcomes.

At the end of the seminar, participants engaged in a group discussion, sharing their thoughts, emotions, and reflections on the scenarios they witnessed and performed. This interactive format encouraged critical thinking, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving.

The seminar was highly engaging and educational, contributing to the development of participants’ emotional and social competencies.