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Slimmer Leven Challenge - Bringing together different levels of education for health innovation
Published on 18 July 2018
Netherlands
Drenthe
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Organised by the Cooperative Slimmer Leven 2020, the Slimmer Leven Challenge is a yearly returning student competition. What makes the Slimmer Leven Challenge unique is the bringing together of students from different educational levels through mixed teams comprised of students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences and the Summa College (vocational education). Together, these students work to create and implement new healthcare innovations which are specifically aimed at providing a higher quality of life for (elderly) people who wish to stay active, healthy and socially involved. Bringing together these different educational backgrounds and perspectives can enrich the development/ideation process (university ideas may not be practically implementable down the line). The most recent edition of the challenge was thematically focussed on ‘the heart’ and saw involvement from the Heart Foundation to find solutions for the care of cardiac patients. The five best teams will be trained and supported to further develop the innovation.
Resources needed
The budget of the competition is small as most of the organisation is done in kind by the organising partners (the educational institutions). The winning team receives €3.000 to further develop their concept in collaboration with market partners.
Evidence of success
The unique opportunity provided by the Slimmer Leven Challenge results in high interest from the student population. During the most recent edition, over 200 students from the three educational institutions signed-up to be a part of the challenge. From a educators point of view, the added value of the challenge comes in the collaboration among the students from different educational backgrounds. Looking at a problem from multiple perspectives can bring new insights and learning to students.
Potential for learning or transfer
The potential for learning is there provided that a single city/region has these different levels of educational institutions within reasonable proximity.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Slimmer Leven 2020
Netherlands
Drenthe
Contact
Liaison and Funding Advisor