Final In-Person Capacity Building Training at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Ireland
The final in-person capacity building training under the DeSIRe project was successfully conducted from October 6 to 10, 2025, at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Ireland.
This course represented the concluding phase of the project’s capacity building component, focusing on Module 5 — Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills -as well as 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 organizations in a format combining one-week intensive learning, collaborative analysis, and strategic discussions to ensure the sustainability of the project outcomes.
The training officially started on October 6 with a welcome speech by Dr. Audrey Stenson, Head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities at IADT. She highlighted the importance of creativity, design thinking, and reflective practice as core components in teaching soft skills within higher education.
Professor Lusik Vardanyan, coordinator of the project consortium, also delivered opening remarks, expressing gratitude to IADT for hosting the course and emphasizing the significance of this final phase in linking the outcomes achieved to future sustainability goals.
IADT researcher Laura Steem presented the weekly training agenda and led icebreaker activities based on the four main training topics, ensuring an engaging and interactive start.
On October 7, Kate Kenning presented a real-world case study incorporating Module 5 and MOOC 1, 4, and 5. Participants were divided into groups to develop their own role-play scenarios, integrating the core themes of the course. This exercise allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, fostering collaboration and creative thinking.
The training continued on October 8 under the mentorship of the IADT team: Laura Steem, Linda Ryan, Justina Doherty, and Philip Penny. Through open discussions and group work, participants refined their role-play ideas while working in the Carnegie Library. Additionally, they explored an interactive soft skills learning module via the Bodyswaps application, providing a modern and engaging approach to skill development.
On October 9, the groups presented their role-play scenarios. Following the presentations, mentors and participants engaged in joint discussions and feedback sessions to analyze strengths and suggest improvements. The day also featured a presentation by Mark Lalonde, theatre Director at Dresden University of Technology, who highlighted the soft skills necessary for performance. This further emphasized the role of creativity, communication, and teamwork in enhancing participants’ skill development.
The training concluded on October 10 with an on-site tour of the institute and a partner coordination meeting. Participants shared their impressions, evaluated the week’s activities, identified strengths and areas for improvement, and presented recommendations for future trainings. Strategies for expanding the DeSIRe partnership and ensuring the sustainability of its outcomes were also discussed.
This final in-person course successfully brought together all partner organizations for a week of active learning, collaboration, and mutual reflection. Practical case studies, interactive learning tools, group role-plays, and feedback discussions created a comprehensive and immersive environment for advancing soft skills development.
The event concluded with promising discussions on project sustainability and partnership expansion, ensuring that the DeSIRe project’s results will continue to positively impact the participating organizations.
The DeSIRe project is co-funded by the European Union.
