EKISANDE

DESIGN FOR EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

The project “Design for quality education”, aims at providing a vocational training environment for the NGO Ekisande in Bwera, Uganda. We empower young individuals and the community of Bwera, Uganda, through a sustainable school environment, an engaging student service platform, outreaching services to the community, accessible physical and digital services, extensive support for female students, and enhancing financial literacy. A future eco-tourism service will provide new revenue for the school, Ekisande, and Bwera. Through the smart design of service systems and spaces, we seek to transform lives and open new perspectives for the youth in this region. The design solutions can be adopted by other Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in Uganda.

Many thanks to Ekisande for giving us this opportunity and putting their trust in us.

GENERAL DESIGN CHALLENGE

The design challenge is to create an effective and inclusive service system and service environment that supports the vocational training of youngsters in Bwera, Uganda while promoting their interaction with professionals and the community. The goal is to develop a comprehensive framework that addresses the specific needs of youth, integrates opportunities for skill development, encourages
collaboration with industry experts, and fosters meaningful connections within the local community.

7 teams, 1 holistic design

Throughout the project, our various groups have maintained constant communication and collaborated in our designs. This collaborative approach ensures that each individual project remains interconnected, forming a cohesive “grand joint project.” By actively engaging with one another, we have fostered synergy and shared ideas, resulting in a unified and impactful endeavor.

Creating an inclusive and sustainable learning environment with a focus on flexibility and adaptability.

Vocational Training Centers (VTC) are often seen as a last resort. Their design aims to transform these centers into engaging and sustainable learning environments. The approach utilized is a modular and future-proof school design that emphasizes sustainability, adaptability, and flexibility in layouts. The infrastructure is designed to meet evolving educational needs and facilitate scalability. The spaces offered are engaging, encouraging student involvement and inspiring learning. By incorporating these elements, the comprehensive design cultivates student growth, contributes to a better future, and challenges the current perception of VTC’s. Through an open-source guide, it has the potential to not only impact the VTC in Bwera but also other educational institutions.

Team
Alicia García Rosa, Emma Calvo, Jilte Heyvaert, Katrijn Peeters

Community unity outreach

Their project promotes vocational education in Bwera, Uganda by demonstrating its value. Student ambassadors take on the role of inspiring the community, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-life skills. They utilize a cargo bike and USSD, a communication system that doesn’t require internet access, to effectively reach a wider audience with limited connectivity. This initiative empowers communities and actively contributes to the prosperity of Bwera.

Team
Shaghayegh Mohammadi & Shadi Lakishiraz

Accessibility to the Training Center
(Physical and Digital Access)

Many individuals aspire to attend school, but they often require additional services to improve their access. These services play a crucial role in providing students with better opportunities to pursue education. The project addresses the needs of these individuals through various supportive measures, empowering them and facilitating their educational journey. From transportation services to inclusive facilities and resources, the interventions implemented bridge the gap and ensure that students can attend school and maximize their learning experience.

Iman Javidan

Ekisanet – A unique centraliser of student services

Ekisanet is a one of its kind student service platform that aims to centralise all services available for students in one place. With Ekisanet we want to support students during
their study, for this, our online platform and physical Helpdesk will host more than 10 student services such as transportation, tool borrowing or job opportunities, aiming to build longer term relationships between the TVET and the students.

Erick González

Akimbo – Empowerment for Change

Akimbo* is an online resource platform designed for vocational training centers, with the objective of enhancing the educational experience for women. Through promoting
a nurturing environment, women are empowered to unlock their full potential and actively contribute to the growth of their communities. The primary aim is to empower women throughout their educational journey by providing the necessary support for their success. Through these efforts, Akimbo aspires to stimulate a more equitable and prosperous society.

*Akimbo stands for a posture that communicates confidence and pride.

Team
Charlotte Vliegen, Liam McAuley, Fien Demarest

Ace your finances, kick-start your career

By operating in collaboration with the vocational training
center, ACES aims to enhance student employability and
encourage entrepreneurship. It focuses to promote financial literacy through a self-organised approach.
ACES will offer a variety of resources and opportunities for students to develop money management skills, equipping them with essential knowledge for a successful transition into the professional world. This strategy ensures that students are prepared to handle financial challenges and make informed decisions in their future careers.

Daniella Levins

Eco-Tourism – teach, learn & grow in Uganda

Bwera has a huge potential to be an attractive tourist destination with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. This tourism service has been designed to create value for TVET by providing Ekisande’s Eco-Tourism service which exists out of a website, brochures and packages. Their approach involves dialoguing with teachers and students at the VTC to understand their educational needs. This team tailors tourism packages to support students’ education and contribute to sustainable tourism, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that supports both education and tourism.

Team
Tözün Atmaca & Yağız Baran Araci