Between November and December 2024, the UNESCO Chair Engineering for Society hosted a series of practical workshops designed to build transferable skills for students — the kind of skills that bridge formal academic training and the demands of professional life, but that are rarely covered systematically in a degree programme.
The series covered six topics, each delivered in an applied, hands-on format with small groups to allow direct interaction and feedback.
Workshop topics
Data work with Excel
- Data Modeling with Excel — building structured spreadsheet models for analysis and decision-making
- Data Analysis with Excel — using Excel as a data analysis tool, from pivot tables to formula-driven dashboards
Communication and presentation
- PowerPoint: Formatting & Design — visual hierarchy, typography, and slide layout principles
- PowerPoint: Discourse Structure & Visuals — how to structure a talk so the audience follows, and how to design visuals that support (rather than distract from) the message
Academic and professional skills
- Academic Writing for Young Researchers — practical foundations of academic writing, from argument structure to citation discipline
- Using the Agile Principles — introducing students to project management thinking through Agile, with applications in research and team work
The workshops were designed to address a consistent gap observed across student cohorts: technical competence in a discipline does not automatically translate into the ability to structure information clearly, communicate it persuasively, or organise complex work over time. By focusing on these specific skills, the workshops gave students tools they can apply immediately — in their thesis work, internships, and early-career projects.
Format and participation
Each workshop was delivered in a session-based format, allowing students to choose the topics most relevant to them. The small-group structure prioritised direct practice and individual feedback over passive listening.
Future sessions
If you are interested in joining future sessions of these workshops, fill in this form to be notified.
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