The reason for the transfer to the UT is a change of focus at Stanford University, says Miriam Iliohan, manager at DesignLab: 'Stanford wants to shift focus towards bachelor and master programmes in the coming years, but they didn't want to just write off the UIF programme. So they were looking for a suitable party to take over, and we have been working on it for years.'
Transfer
TransferAlthough the programme will be coordinated from Twente going forward, Stanford will remain involved for the time being. As part of the handover, former programme leaders Humera Fasihuddin and Leticia Britos Cavagnaro will soon join the UT's Education Innovation Steering Group. ‘And if for whatever reason it doesn't work out, they would like to take the programme back,’ says Iliohan (pictured on the right).
The programme consists of an intensive six-week online training. In it, students learn to think about the state of affairs within their universities, and gain skills to initiate change if necessary. Iliohan: 'An example of this is that universities often form islands in their regions, where there is no connection with local residents. This programme challenges, among other things, students to think along with them about how to do something about it.'
The highlight of the programme is a closing event, the Meetup, which will be held on the UT campus this year. Here, Fellows from all over the world come together to exchange ideas and find networking opportunities.
Excellent opportunity
According to Iliohan, it is an excellent opportunity for the UT. 'This allows us to put ourselves on the map better. It's not just about Design Thinking in terms of content, but also when it comes to putting the students first.'
About UIF
UIF began in 2012 as part of the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), a five-year National Science Foundation grant under Stanford University and the VentureWell nonprofit. In 2016, it was incorporated into Standford's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). 300 universities spread over 16 countries are now participating and more than 3300 Fellows have been part of it.
On 24 February, the Executive Board signed for the acquisition of the UIF programme. Nicole Wright of DesignLab will be responsible for the coordination. The new situation will apply from the beginning of the next academic year.
