IncomingSoft Skills for Deep Tech. Hackathon

Study location	Latvia, Riga
Academic field	Personal skills and development (ISCED 0031)
Type	Summer School, short-term
Nominal duration	Virtual part: August 6-8, 2025; In person: August 11-15, 2025 (6 ECTS)
Study language	English
Awards	Incoming

Entry qualification	Students and professionals from various fields of study: engineering, design, business, computer science and information technology, etc. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Territory requirements	Applications are accepted from the following territories (based on citizenship): Americas, Central America, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Europe, European Union, Northern America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Western Asia.

Language requirements	English

Other requirements	A motivation letter must be added to your application.

Overview

ABOUT

An increasing number of employers globally are observing a significant deficiency in soft skills among new employees and interns. Frequently, these newcomers find it challenging to fit in teams or adapt to the workplace, leading to difficulties for both the individuals and the organizations. Employers note that while graduates possess the technical skills and abilities required for particular tasks, they often struggle with effective communication with colleagues, partners, or clients. In today’s workplace, employees need not only to have specialized knowledge in their area but also to be proficient in several key soft skills. These skills include strong verbal and written communication, teamwork (including cross-cultural collaboration), active listening, clear information presentation, delegation, time management, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

The summer school designed to introduce participants to a range of essential soft skills, enabling students to enhance and refine their knowledge and practical application of these competencies. By recognizing the value placed on soft skills by contemporary employers, the summer school seeks to establish their incorporation into higher education curricula, particularly in fields like engineering, where they are considered as vital professional skills.

The Summer School will cover topics such as:

• Communication (verbal, non-verbal, written, etc.)
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Creative Thinking and Innovation
• Crisis Management
• Emotional Intelligence
• Process Management

PROGRAMME

The BIP SUMMER SCHOOL combines online and in campus lectures as well as practical workshops and field trips.

1.) Virtual part: August 6-8, 2025 (online lectures);
2.) In person: August 11-15, 2025 (lectures, practical workshops and field trips);
3.) Language: fully taught in English;
4.) 6 ECTS will be awarded upon successful completion.

OBJECTIVES

1. To offer participants a comprehensive understanding of the expectations prevailing in the labour market;
2. To highlighting the crucial role those interdisciplinary skills play in enhancing students’ competitiveness;
3. To present students with the chance to delve deeply into various interdisciplinary skills, allowing them to not only learn about these capabilities but also evaluate their relevance and application;
4. Provide an opportunity for students to engage in empirical assessments, gaining valuable insights into how specific skills that are valued in the labour market, thus empowering them to strategically improve their employability and navigate their career paths more effectively.

COORDINATED BY THREE UNIVERSITIES:

• Riga Technical University (RTU)
• STILL PENDING
• STILL PENDING

FINANCES

• Participants can employ an Erasmus+ scholarship be provided by their home University;
• No fees for the BIP will be charged;
• Social programme is provided by RTU (travel costs need to be covered by the participants).

APPLICATION

Apply here! Deadline: July 16, 2025

Please contact your International Office for the nomination. Note that there are only 20 places available.

The applicants have to correspond to B2 level of English proficiency.

CONTACTS

RIGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY: Artūrs Lūsis (arturs.lusis@rtu.lv)