Hamad Bin Khalifa University concluded the region’s first virtual summer school, ‘Design Post-COVID Normal’ which took place from May 31 to June 25.

The design-centered program was aimed to seek novel solutions to a range of issues brought by the pandemic, specifically, those relating to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted in collaboration with SOGLAB (Turkey), NOBOX Lab (Morocco), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP - Lebanon office), and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (Turkey).

The virtual summer school attracted the interest of more than 1,000 applicants from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa.  

The virtual school included the participation of 111 students, from over 20 countries selected based on their interests, previous experience, and knowledge of the SDGs.

The students were split into groups of 20 and were then tasked with developing design solution-based projects based on a chosen SDG using the creative framework provided by the UNDP. 

The month-long program featured webinars with high-level guest speakers, online workshops, and one-on-one facilitation days with each partner. 

The Speakers included His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State; His Excellency Mr. Taha Ayhan, President of ICYF; Shaikha Ghalia Al Thani, UN Goodwill Ambassadors Michael Haddad and Ray Bassil; Rana El Chmaitelly, CEO and founder of The Little Engineer; Adnane Addoui, Ashoka fellow from Morocco; Noora and AlDana Al Hedfa, Friendship Ambassador’s Foundation; Zubair Abid, Global Shapers; Mariam Mohammed, a Young Leaders Programme alumna; Eddy Bitar, co-founder of Live Love Lebanon; Robert Garita, operation manager of ibTECHar; Asmaa Serhan, co-founder and producer of Salamati; Hany Anan, co-founder of ToRed; and Louy Ghazawi, co-founder of Infrastic

 Students worked through a series of inspiration, ideation, implementation, and share to enhance their creativity and engagement.

Dr. Evren Tok, associate professor and dean of innovation and community engagement at HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies, said, “While learning and engagement were at the heart of ‘Design Post-COVID Normal’, the program is aimed to cultivate leadership and agency among youth who will go on to create a better tomorrow.’’

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Source: Hamad Bin Khalifa University