Skills4Water Final Conference Summary
On 25 June 2025, the University of Cádiz hosted the I International Conference on Soft Skills for Water, marking the culmination of the Erasmus+ Skills4Water project. This two-day event brought together over 35 stakeholders from academia, industry, research institutions, and policy sectors to reflect on the project’s achievements and explore the future of soft skills in water education.
Day 1: Partners Meeting
Held on 24 June, the consortium partners reviewed progress across all work packages:
- WP1–WP5 were reported as successfully completed or on track.
- Discussions focused on sustainability strategies and future collaborations.
Day 2: International Conference
The conference featured a rich program of activities:
- Opening Remarks by UCA’s Vice-Rectorate emphasized the integration of soft skills into lifelong learning and doctoral programs.
- Project Overview by UGAL highlighted key results and achievements.
- Keynote by Naomi Timmer (H2O People) stressed the transformative power of soft skills in the water sector, calling for their integration into education, policy, and professional development.
Highlights
- Consortium Roundtable: Partners shared insights on soft skills development, training impact, and stakeholder engagement.
- Student Presentations: Six doctoral students from Spain, Portugal, and Mozambique shared personal stories of growth through soft skills like adaptability, leadership, and communication.
- Networking Workshop: Led by H2O People, participants practiced mapping networks and building authentic professional connections.
- Stakeholder Roundtable: Employers, faculty, and students discussed gaps in soft skills training and strategies for improvement.
Awards Ceremony
Six students received awards for outstanding presentations, with prizes supporting further academic and professional development.
Key Outcomes
- Consensus across sectors on the critical role of soft skills in preparing young water professionals.
- Recognition of the need for continuous alignment between education and industry needs.
- Validation of Skills4Water’s approach as a model for sustainable integration of soft skills into higher education.
Read further our:
5.4 Report on Final Conference
5.4 Conference Proceedings
