Higher education without compulsory subjects, open and accessible at all universities worldwide? Or studies that put creative thinking and the generation of cutting-edge new ideas first? Sounds like a utopia or the near future? There is no one answer to this question. Still, VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas" and 24 other similar institutions from around the globe explored these and even bolder ideas at the International Design Factory Week 2022 (IDFW), which took place in the city of Leeuwarden in The Netherlands.
This annual creative week is organised by the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN) in a different institution each year. This network, founded at Aalto University in Helsinki, connects innovation centres and research organisations in universities worldwide. DFGN network members are united by their work with students, product design and digital creation activities. The core mission of the DFGN is to create radical change in the world of learning and research through problem-solving methodologies and united maker culture.
VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas" became a member of this network in 2021 and now has the opportunity to develop projects together and to expand collaborative opportunities with innovation centres not only in Europe but also in New York, Melbourne, Kyoto, São Paulo and other cities around the world.
Future thinking
The IDFW 2022 week, which was supposed to take place in 2020, was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic, but when it finally took place, it attracted 45 participants. The researchers, scientists, educators and innovators from different cities around the world presented their institutions. They shared best practices for integrating educational innovation into their studies and research.
During IDFW 2022, various project planning sessions took place, where participants presented their project or plan to the network and then refined and further developed it with interested network members.
"Innovative training methods, a new set of tools for interdisciplinary collaboration – 16 different projects were presented during the week. DFGN members also outlined future DFGN projects to answer the question, "How are we going to work together in the future?" says Greta Markūnaitė, Head of the Creativity Lab at VILNIUS TECH LinkMenų fabrikas, who participated in the IDFW week.
IDFW Week 2022 occurred at the Future Design Factory of NHL Stenden University. In cooperation with business representatives, this design factory teaches students the so-called "future thinking" philosophy. Using the philosophy of future-based thinking, students work on and prototype future products, create business models and work in the neuromarketing lab.
First DFGN Network International Research Conference
"DFGN.R 2022 – Designing the Future" is the first research conference the Design Factory Global Network organised during IDFW 2022. This open event allowed all like-minded educators, designers and researchers to share their insights and inspire others on educational innovation and innovation ecosystems.
Keynote speakers were futurist Tessa Cramer and innovator Eileen Blackmore. Tessa Cramer spoke about futuristic thinking and how to explore the future, while Eileen Blackmore presented sustainability innovation in Leeuwarden.
"Both the entire IDFW 2022 week and the scientific conference DFGN.R 2022 focused on future projects and the philosophy of futurism. Such experience was useful for the "LinkMenų fabrikas" team as well. We came back with ideas, contacts, connections, and, most importantly, we also shared the best practices of our factory and our university with other universities and research centres around the world," says G. Markūnaitė.
Next year, IDFW 2023 will take place in Ankara, Turkey. DFGN members will meet again a year later to further expand their collaborative opportunities and promote innovation and radical ideas in education.
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