GIDE – GROUP FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION is an international consortium of 6 higher education art and design European institutions, established in 2003, who collaborate annually in order to enrich the creative and cultural experiences of students, staff and participating institutions.

GIDE’S main objectives are to promote the exchange of design approaches, best practice and widen the intercultural experiences across the European Union and beyond. GIDE promotes the exchange of design education with an ethical dimension exploring multidisciplinary and intercultural experiences, working practices and competences designed to raise awareness in students of the future of their professional networks.

GIDE

Every year, the GIDE workshop week [ GIDE stands for Group for International Design Education ] is a highlight of ID&A’s international programme.

This year it was Mechelen’s turn, and I must admit: the amount of organisation, emails, appointments, bookings etc. was unprecedented, not expected & babylonian![ thank you, Carina ]

However, the result was directly proportional, not to say it exceeded all expectations : downright a fantastic international week, with the highlights being the vernissage of the exhibition spread throughout the city [ thank you Jielt ], the atmosphere, ambiance & focus during the workshop and the presentation of the results.

All four houses into which the 90 international students were divided [ just like in Harry Potter : Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff & Slytherin ] showed their best!

We normally crown the best result at the end of the workshop. This year, however, all students deserved first place : this was not a competition, this was an unprecedented collaboration between nine international universities that gives us all hope for a better future! I look back on it as a very happy and fulfilled man.

The presence of all students & colleagues made the difference, to great satisfaction & success!

Piet


See below the results.