In the era of digital technology, the labor market is undergoing a dynamic transformation. The seminar “Competencies of the Future” was designed to demonstrate to students from the five member universities of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) that soft skills and adaptability are just as important as practical professional skills. The event was organized by the Faculty of Psychology and Law in Poznań, from November 24–27, 2025, as part of ERUA’s ongoing educational initiatives.
European cooperation and collaborative learning
The goal of the “Skills for the Future” seminar was to provide young people with a space to exchange experiences, develop practical competencies, and build international networks. This aligns closely with the core mission of ERUA, which promotes mobility, inter-university cooperation, and the collective development of students within a broader European perspective.
The seminar brought together students from the following ERUA member universities:
- European University Viadrina, Germany
- New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria
- SWPS University, Poland
- University of Macerata, Italy
- University Paris 8, France
Universal competencies
The four-day program was intensive, multidimensional, and specifically designed to address the challenges young people face in a rapidly evolving world. Beyond the formal academic sessions, the first day concluded with an evening integration event, allowing participants to build rapport and foster an atmosphere of collaboration from the very beginning.
Throughout the course, experts from SWPS University led a diverse range of educational activities, including lectures, practical workshops, and integration sessions:
- Skills for the Future: What Will Matter in 2025 and Beyond – A keynote lecture that set the stage for discussions on future-ready competencies
- Well-being and Self-Awareness Workshops – Practical strategies for stress management
- Worldview Workshops – An exploration of personal beliefs and core values
- Focused Mind – Techniques for concentration, mindfulness, and achieving internal balance
- Effective Learning and Personal Development Planning – Memory techniques and brain-based learning strategies, development of SMART goals and building continuous motivation
- AI Tools for Smarter Studying – Practical applications of artificial intelligence in daily learning and workflow organization
- Professional Competencies and Intercultural Collaboration – Crafting a professional profile, personal branding, and leveraging LinkedIn for career advancement.
- Know Your Rights – An overview of labor rights for students working across Europe and practical legal scenarios they may encounter.
- Communication Workshop – Focused on providing constructive feedback and thriving in international teams. The program concluded with a comprehensive evaluation, gathering participant reflections to assess the impact of the training sessions.
The program concluded with a comprehensive evaluation, gathering participant reflections to assess the impact of the training sessions.
