Last week, we proudly welcomed nine vocational hospitality students to the inaugural edition of our Design-Based Education (DBE) Summer School. The intensive five-day programme bridged the gap between vocational and higher education, offering participants an immersive look into professional problem-solving and academic life.
Real-Life Challenges and Design Thinking
Throughout the week, students actively tackled complex, real-life challenges sourced directly from our practical departments. Utilizing design thinking methodologies, they analyzed operational pain points, brainstormed creative approaches, and developed functional prototypes aimed at delivering innovative, sustainable solutions.
A Comprehensive Curriculum
Beyond hands-on project work, the curriculum was designed to broaden the students’ foundational knowledge and professional skills. Key highlights of the week included:
Academic Foundations: Exploration of core human resource management concepts and foundational motivation theories.
Skill Development: A practical track where students designed and facilitated their own collaborative workshops.
Experiential Learning: An interactive “urban safari” designed to help students discover the campus environment and its community dynamics.
Bridging the Gap to Higher Education
The primary objective of the Summer School was to provide vocational students with an accessible introduction to higher education, while allowing them to experience our distinct Design-Based Education model firsthand.
Recognizing their academic commitment, students who successfully completed the rigorous programme were awarded an official certificate. Notably, this credential grants them a full semester’s worth of exemptions, giving them a significant head start on their future academic journeys.
Looking Ahead
We are exceptionally proud of the high level of creativity, dedication, and collaboration demonstrated by all participants throughout the week. We look forward to welcoming many of these students back to our institution as full-time undergraduates after the summer break.