Out-of the class-room experience!

The DTI’24 summer school takes place at multiple locations, and with the support of various companies based in the beautiful Münsterland. An intensive and enriching knowledge transfer with agricultural and craft businesses will take place, such as the exchange, for example, with an innovative software and AI-robotics company, or a social water filter start-up. A workshop in the Makerspace on the Steinfurt campus is also planned. See the below overview to encounter all planned activities.

Please note that the schedule provided for the course is tentative and subject to change. This is to allow for adjustments based on the needs of the participants, availability of resources, or unforeseen circumstances. We advise all participants to check for updates regularly and appreciate your understanding and flexibility in this regard.

Münsterland – the location

Design, Technology and Innovation…

We strongly believe that Design, Technology, and Innovation stand as catalysts for a positive future, harmonizing to propel sustainable practices, inspiring creative solutions, and spearheading advancements in tools and methodologies. In doing so, they pave the way for a brighter, interconnected, and more optimistic global society.

It's not just about creating new ideas, but also about effectively implementing these ideas to create new technologies, applications, and markets. Students will explore different types of innovation, from incremental improvements that enhance existing technologies to disruptive innovations that can redefine an entire industry.

The DTI’24 Summer School fosters a multifaceted understanding of the interconnected disciplines of design, technology and innovation, laying a robust foundation for those aspiring to excel in an increasingly interconnected and technology-centric world. This comprehensive approach ensures that students are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to their evolving landscapes. The course also touches the field of 'Entrepreneurial Education' and will give the students an overview of various innovative fields of work and a wide range of opportunities in rural areas, thereby contributing to the long-term preservation of the economic structure of the Münsterland.

 Design   is presented as a crucial element that bridges the gap between technology and human interaction. The course offers students a comprehensive understanding of several design principles, their current applications, and future trends. Students will study how design has evolved alongside technology, incorporating Dieter Rams' principles for good design. They will learn how to create products that are innovative, useful, aestheticly pleasant, understandable, unobtrusive, honest,
long-lasting, thorough down to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and involve as little design
as possible. The course will explore how these principles can be applied to create sustainable products or services that serve their intended purpose and enhance user experience.

Keywords: Rules for good design, Materials, design-tools, User Experience, CAD (3D scanning, 3d-modelling, CNC milling), CAM (3D-printing), Rapid Prototyping, Cradle to Cradle, plastic recycling, etc. …

  Past, present, and future technologies   form the cornerstone of this course, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of their evolution and practical applications. The course takes students on a journey through the history of technology, highlighting key inventions and break-throughs that have defined different eras. It then brings students into the present, exploring the workings of current technologies, their societal impact, and their role across various industries.
As the course looks towards the future, it introduces students to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, discussing their potential applications and implications.

Keywords: Transformative Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, introduction to Electronics Robotics and Automation (Arduino), introduction to programming (P5.JS), Internet of Things, …

  Innovation    is a key focus of the course, guiding students through the stages of idea generation, prototyping, testing, and implementation. It's not just about creating new ideas, but also about effectively implementing these ideas to create new technologies, applications, and markets.
Students will explore different types of innovation, from incremental improvements that enhance existing technologies to disruptive innovations that can redefine an entire industry.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Innovative Processes, Product Development, Sustainable Innovation, Digital Transformation, Rural Innovation, Interdisciplinary Innovation, Technological Advancement, Start-Up Ecosystem, …

How will this course be credited?

Upon successful completion, the participating students will be awarded a certificate indicating that the course corresponds to either 3 or 4.5 ECTS credits.

  3 ECTS   corresponding certificates will be awarded to students that will have
    a. Successfully participated in the Summer course.
    b. Presented their group-project during the presentation session on the last day.
    c. Demonstrated their developed artefact or prototype during the presentation session.

  4.5 ECTS   corresponding certificates will be awarded to students that will have
    a. Successfully participated in the Summer course.
    b. Presented their group-project during the presentation session on the last day.
    c. Demonstrated their developed artefact or prototype during the presentation session.
    d. Written a report on the relating specific topic incl. summary of identified problem, background
         research,  developed concept, (5-10 pages, deadline t.b.a).

The certificate can be used by the student to obtain the applicable credits through the individual students’ home university – in most cases this can be done through the University’s International Office or Examination Office. It is recommended that students reach out to their institution in beforehand to ensure that the course will be credited towards the student’s curriculum.

For participating students enrolled at FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, the DTI Summerschool is credited as equivalent to the following courses:

For students studying at Münster School of Business: Specialization Modules International Marketing and Strategic Marketing. Project International Marketing (MSB.1.0167.0.V.4), Project Strategic Marketing (MSB. 1.0368.0.V.2b),
For students studying at Münster School of Design: Technik 3 (if they have successfuly participated  in Technik 1 and Technik 2).

Feel free to reach out to the team if there are any open questions: dti-summerschool@fh-muenster.de

Relating Fees, Costs, support for Travel & VISA

As the organisers secured a general funding for the 2024 summer school, there are no participation fees. However, participants must arrange their own travel and accommodation. The organisers will give support by sending out a list of youth hostels, cheap hotels, etc., in May 2024 via e-mail.

During the DTI ’24 Summerschool there will be occuring costs for transportation, entrance tickets for exhibitions, etc., specific workshop materials, food and drinks, etc. Examples of costs are Deutschland Ticket (€49), Picnic at Burg Hülshoff (€15), monthly subscription to bike sharing (€15). It is anticipated that those general costs will not be more than approx. 250 EUR for the two weeks of the course. Please note that participants will have to pay 20 EUR to take part in CampX (to cover general costs at the campsite) and should bring their own sleeping bags and carrimats.

Please note that this course is also an experiment to try out several ways of cooperation and collaboration. International students and staff coming from institutions that are member of the Up University network   might be able to eventually apply for some funding for travel and accommodation support for example through the Erasmus+ program. In this case please kindly ask at your home institution’s International Office about potential support options.

In case international students need a letter of invitation for their individual VISA application, please reach out to Prof. Felix Beck.

Fostering Success through Collaboration

The success and enrichment of the DTI'24 Summer School is greatly attributed to our partners institutions and supporters. The partners include established companies, innovative startups, and local businesses in the Münsterland region, all contributing their expertise and resources to provide a diverse learning experience. Potential sponsors play an equally crucial role. Their financial and material support allows us to enhance the course content, provide state-of-the-art technology for hands-on experience, and secure the best possible locations for our roving course. We are always open to further partnerships and sponsorships, fostering a collaborative and symbiotic relationship for the promotion of education in design, technology, and innovation in the Münsterland region.

Academic network

Supporting Network and partnering companies

The course is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Digitale Hochschule NRW initiative, and received a funding of 50.000,00 Euro in 2022 by the Wandelwerk Center for Quality Assurance and Enhancement (Münster University of Applied Sciences). The application for funding was submitted by Prof. Felix Beck (MSD Münster School of Design) in January 2022, and received the approval by the Wandelwerk in May 2022.

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