As part of Work Package 5 (WP5), GIPA and Tbilisi State University (TSU) jointly organized a three-day (25-27.08.2025 ) online training dedicated to strengthening the digital competencies of academic staff. The training formed part of the initiative, “Strengthened Capacities of Partner Institutions’ Representatives through Trainings on Tools and Instruments for Virtual Teaching and Learning,” equipping participants with practical skills to support research, collaboration, and digital teaching within the JoPScip consortium.
Combining expert presentations with hands-on workshops, the training introduced participants to a wide range of digital platforms that enhance research management, academic collaboration, data analysis, and scholarly visibility.
Training Highlights
- Digital Research Identity: Building and strengthening academic profiles using ORCID, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate to increase research visibility and international engagement.
- Research Project Management: Practical training on Asana, Slack, and the Open Science Framework (OSF) for coordinating research projects, managing workflows, and facilitating collaborative work.
- Reference Management & Collaboration: Using Zotero for organizing literature, Hypothesis.is for collaborative annotation, and digital tools that support teamwork throughout the research process.
- Data Collection & Analysis: Introduction to KoboToolbox for digital survey design and data collection, alongside MAXQDA for qualitative data analysis and research interpretation.
- AI for Research: Demonstrations of emerging AI-powered tools, including STORM and NotebookLM, to support literature reviews, information synthesis, knowledge organization, and academic productivity.
- Responsible Research Practices: Sessions on research ethics, GDPR compliance, data protection, and the European principles governing the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in higher education and research.
Expert Trainers
The training was delivered by an international team of experts:
- Dr. Gvantsa Salukvadze
- Prof. Temur Gugushvili
- Prof. Aneta Cekikj
- Diana Lezhava
Their sessions combined theoretical insights with practical demonstrations, enabling participants to apply newly acquired digital skills directly to their teaching and research activities.
Impact & Outcomes
The WP5 training significantly strengthened the digital and research capacities of consortium partners by equipping academic staff with modern tools for research management, collaboration, and scholarly communication. Participants enhanced their ability to integrate digital technologies and AI-assisted tools into research and teaching while deepening their understanding of ethical standards, open science practices, and responsible innovation. The training also fostered cross-institutional collaboration, contributing to the successful implementation of innovative, technology-enhanced teaching and learning across the JoPScip consortium.