Project Bridging the Gap Between Biotechnology and Industry: Integrating Design Thinking and Flipped Learning (BIOTE(A)CH), in which the University of Zagreb is involved as one of the partners and which is funded under the Erasmus+ program, Action Type: KA220-HED-Collaborative Partnership in Higher Education, has started implementation.
The aim of the project is to develop a higher education curriculum in the field of biotechnology that will facilitate the transition of students into the labor market. Combining the principles of design thinking and flipped learning, the curriculum will expose students to cutting-edge technological processes primarily related to the environment (gray biotechnology), food (yellow biotechnology) and agrobiotechnology (green biotechnology). Emphasis is placed on solving current challenges in biotechnology and overcoming the limitations of traditional technological approaches. The curriculum developed in this way will provide students with the practical skills, competencies, and knowledge needed to address current challenges in gray, yellow, and green biotechnology.
The expected results of the project can be divided into four basic outcomes. The main outcome of the project will be students approaching non-linear and iterative problem solving based on design thinking principles to meet the demans of the labor market. The second outcome includes a developed curriculum (from knowledge to practice through design thinking), a teacher's manual, a booklet of success stories, and video lessons. The third outcome is the strengthening of the cooperation network of higher education and research institutions and the business community on a national and international level. Finally, the project will be a scientifically sound example of integrating design thinking and flipped learning into the teaching process, and colleagues from academic institutions will be able to incorporate this project practice into their further research activities.
The first project meeting was held at the Faculty of Education, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey.
The project started on December 30, 2022 and will last until December 29, 2024.
