PODCAST Championship at Kutaisi International University

 29/11/2023

The "PODCAST Championship Fall 2023" took place at Kutaisi International University. Organized by the School of Management, the event featured 13 students from the Bachelor of Management program in its 3rd season championship.

The primary objective of the championship was to have students present 10-minute pitches on topics of personal interest. This aimed to stimulate critical thinking, motivate peers, and make the topics both relevant and interesting. The participants dedicated several weeks to intense preparation for their presentations.

The winners of the PODCAST Competition Fall 2023 Championship were:

1.    Salome Shaverdashvili – “Clayface” (1st place)
2.    Luka Berishvili “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” (2nd place)
3.    Nia Metreveli – “Kinder”  (3rd place)

Nia Metreveli was also recognized with the students' choice award.

As the Dean of the KIU School of Management, Professor Natia Zedginidze emphasizes the significance of hosting championships within the university, noting that such events play a crucial role in helping students develop various skills. Professor Zedginidze highlights: "the Podcast Championship, now in its third year, has become a significant biannual gathering at the School of Management. It sparks increasing interest among students and positively influences their academic and professional growth.

The championship plays an important role in enhancing essential skills among School of Management students, including idea formulation, communication, presentation preparation, logical thinking, and integrating theory with practice.

Notably, a proactive student participation system is integrated into almost all projects of the School of Management, including the Podcast Championship. This system involves students in all stages of the project cycle—initiation, planning, implementation, and closure. Beyond acquiring specific project-related skills, this approach cultivates a sense of belonging, a drive for high performance, and overall enthusiasm.

For the podcast project, student organizing and mentoring groups have been established. The organizing team addresses administrative, logistical, and organizational aspects of the event, while the mentoring team supports podcast speakers in preparing and delivering their pitches. The entire PODCAST Competition is structured around the principles of active student involvement, resulting in outstanding projects and insightful reports on various topics.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the podcast winners and wish them continued success in the upcoming semesters. Our thoughts and best wishes also go out to all the speakers. Each of them presented captivating pitches, leaving an permanent impression on the audience.

A big thank you to all the students who contributed to the success of the championship. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
For information about our school, the projects within the school, and the latest news, please visit the official website of KIU: www.kiu.edu.ge”.

There are many similar events to the podcast championship in different countries across the globe, and it represents a valuable practice for speakers to share their personal, professional, and business experiences and conclusions with the general public. This not only enriches the audience but also contributes to helping and supporting the aspirations of others.