On January 23rd, 2025 the Project “Computational Social Sciences for Development (CSS4D)” reached a signi\ufb01cant milestone with its closure event, held at Tbilisi State University in a hybrid format. This momentous occasion brought together project members, faculty representatives, foreign consultants, and donor organization representatives to re\ufb02ect on the project\u2019s achievements and progress, as well as the challenges faced throughout its implementation.<\/p>\n
The CSS4D project has played a transformative role in developing a joint Master\u2019s program\u00a0 between Tbilisi State University (TSU) and\u00a0 the International Black Sea University (IBSU), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, academic innovation, and capacity building. The event served as a platform to present the project\u2019s major accomplishments, including the development of the program curriculum, the establishment of internship partnerships, and the comprehensive evaluation of its outcomes.<\/p>\n
The program commenced with a welcome address by the moderator, Dr. Gvantsa Salukvadze, and opening remarks delivered by:<\/p>\n
The event featured a series of insightful presentations from key contributors to the project:<\/p>\n
Dr. Gvantsa Salukvadze provided an overview of the project\u2019s journey, highlighting the milestones achieved and lessons learned throughout its implementation.<\/p>\n
Prof. Dr. Temur Gugushvili presented a detailed overview of the program curriculum, outlining the innovative teaching methodologies and subject areas designed to meet the demands of computational social sciences.<\/p>\n
Ms. Natia Kekenadze, a pre-doctoral researcher, shared insights on the internship component of the program, emphasizing the importance of fostering strong partnerships with industry and academic stakeholders. The invited expert for the project, Mr. Giorgi Chikviladze, also participated in the discussion, providing an in-depth explanation of the main framework of the internship concept and presenting a list of potential partners and \ufb01elds.<\/p>\n
The closure event was followed by an intellectually stimulating seminar delivered by Emeritus Professor Tim Unwin, from the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London. Prof. Unwin\u2019s presentation, titled \u201cEthics, Data, and Digital Technology,\u201d addressed the pressing ethical challenges posed by the increasing role of digital technologies in society. His thought-provoking analysis delved into the implications of digital innovation on global inequalities, offering critical re\ufb02ections on how such challenges can be navigated to promote equitable and inclusive development.<\/p>\n
This event marked not only the culmination of the CSS4D project but also set the stage for continued collaboration and innovation in the \ufb01eld of computational social sciences.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\t\t