The main objective of the project was innovation—specifically, the innovation of the concept and content of doctoral study program curricula and the improvement of their overall effectiveness. Our goal was to provide doctoral students with a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and to significantly enhance their practical competencies in two key areas: hard skills and soft skills. The 36-month project aimed to achieve this objective by connecting universities with both long-term and short-term experience in implementing doctoral education. By focusing on the harmonization of methodological approaches to hard and soft skills training at the international level—within Russian studies-oriented programs—the participating institutions set out to develop study materials that would help students successfully complete their doctoral studies, prepare them effectively to present their research and results, and increase their chances of building a successful academic or professional career.
An analysis of current doctoral programs at the three partner universities—two from Slavic and one from a non-Slavic country—showed that applicants are often insufficiently prepared and lack key skills and knowledge. For some, this leads to early termination of studies, resulting in the loss of potential researchers and future academics, as well as economic losses due to unreturned educational investments. To address this, we launched the project to provide doctoral students with essential theoretical knowledge and support the development of both hard and soft skills. These are applicable not only in academic and teaching contexts, but also in broader professional environments. We anticipated that implementing the project in an international context would enhance doctoral students’ methodological and professional readiness and promote experience-sharing among educators—an outcome that has been confirmed upon project completion.