Projectomschrijving

The fields of work of the three groups within UCLL (Management & Technology, Teacher Education, and Health & Wellbeing) each face specific wicked problems. It's therefore not surprising that organizations expect students to graduate with competency profiles that enable them to brainstorm and work on solutions to these challenges. Being able to demonstrate a track record in which specific soft skills—such as leadership, flexibility, managing complexities, and diversity—are strongly developed is often considered more important than having a strong academic track across the board.

As a university of applied sciences, UCLL's mission is to develop wicked-proof students. The ultimate goal is to produce students who have experimented with complex challenges and gained experience in the process. They have also developed the necessary attitudes and competencies. A crucial condition for the success of this project is that the objectives are achieved without increasing the workload for lecturers and professors.

Together with Ecocampus (Sustainable Higher Education), and using design thinking methodology, we co-created with colleagues and students to design a wicked educational program. This experience left a lasting mark on the way we approach and conduct research. Complex challenges demand adapted methodologies, including for research.

ilse.vandenberckt@ucll.be

lotte.ovaere@ucll.be

hannelore.verstappen@ucll.be

helena.bijnens@ucll.be

karina.vanhamel@ucll.be

Partners