Validating Soft Skills Integration in Water Education
As part of the Skills4Water initiative, this report presents the outcomes of pilot testing and validation of custom-designed learning activities aimed at embedding soft skills into higher education curricula for the water sector. Conducted across three European universities—University of Cádiz (Spain), “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați (Romania), and University of Niš (Serbia)—the pilot phase evaluated the effectiveness of activities targeting six essential soft skills: responsibility, motivation, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and flexibility/adaptability.
Implemented during the 2024–2025 academic year, the activities were tailored to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and aligned with the Skills4Water framework and guidelines. The report highlights successful strategies such as flipped classrooms, interdisciplinary projects, and experiential learning, while also identifying challenges like curriculum rigidity and limited time for implementation.
Through self-assessment tools, interactive workshops, and SWOT analyses, the pilot phase demonstrated the feasibility and impact of integrating soft skills into technical education. The findings support a scalable model for institutional adoption, reinforcing the project’s mission to prepare future water professionals with the competencies needed to thrive in a dynamic and collaborative industry.
