Transdisciplinary methodology for Integrated Design in higher education Erasmus Project

Project Title

Transdisciplinary methodology for Integrated Design in higher education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

The project “Transdisciplinary methodology for Integrated Design in higher education” with the acronym High5 concerns the European cooperation in higher education sector. Lodz University of Technology (TUL) is the project coordinator; TUL has invited 4 other institutions as partners: University of Thessaly, Thessaloniki (Greece), University of Aveiro (Portugal), University of Library Studies and Information Technologies in Sofia (Bulgaria) and Euroakadeemia in Tallin (Estonia). The aim of High5 is to create a new methodology – Integrated Design – that is based on already existing methods and approaches.

Integrated Design combines valuable areas such as problem solving methodologies (Design Thinking and Problem Based Learning), sustainable development, circular economy, innovation thinking and entrepreneurial skills. Integrated Design is an answer to complexity of the world and projects undertaken at universities, in companies and various institutions. It has also its roots in the requirements of the European labour market where people have to be able to analyze a situation, define a correct problem, provide suitable solution and be aware of all consequences of implementation of the chosen solution. This wide perspective is covered by Integrated Design.

Integrated Design in education is nearly related to the modernization agenda for higher education. The goal of changes in higher education is to improve its quality, to link education with research and business and to provide innovative teaching and learning methods in order to increase the effectiveness of higher education. Education at universities in Europe should be relevant (ie. provide relevant knowledge, transversal skills and experience). It should also support students in preparation for work and life. In case of innovative teaching it has to boost students’ creativity and creation of innovations that will be adjusted to the needs of the society. Moreover, the aspects of sustainable development and circular economy should be taken into consideration as the European population is getting more aware of the future consequences of current actions.

The High5 project lasts 2 years and elaborates invaluable resources for Integrated Design. The materials will be dedicated to academic teachers and students. They can be partly implemented in projects realized in the companies as business is getting more conscious of sustainable development. Transdisciplinarity of the methodology enables to be use in divers fields and complex projects. The High5 results will fit in innovative learning techniques and will be attractive for the main target groups.

Within the project there will be several activities that will improve key competences of students and teachers (International Schools, Teachers’ Trainings in Sustainable Development, Design Thinking and entrepreneurial skills, Gamification and Learning). Working in interdisciplinary and international teams will be crucial positive quality in the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 281008 Eur

Project Coordinator

POLITECHNIKA LODZKA & Country: PL

Project Partners

• PANEPISTIMIO THESSALIAS
• MITTETULUNDUSÜHING EESTI EUROINFO ÜHING
• UNIVERSIDADE DE AVEIRO
• УНИВЕРСИТЕТ ПО БИБЛИОТЕКОЗНАНИЕ И ИНФОРМАЦИОННИ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ / UNIVERSITET PO BIBLIOTEKOZNANIE I INFORMACIONNI TEHNOLOGII
• TALLINN UNIVERSITY