Local Innovation – Interdisciplinary Innovation Processes in Theory and Practice
30 credits
The master course LOCAL INNOVATION is part of the master’s program in ‘Innovation through Business, Engineering and Design’ and provides students with an understanding of how multidisciplinary knowledge supported by theoretical insight and emerging technologies can bridge with the social needs and values of our societies to provide the best possible local and global futures. Students engage with local and international companies to train in the innovation process in multidisciplinary teams and work in an environment of collaborative creativity.
This unique learning model empowers program participants with the right skills and methods to apply business, engineering and design-led perspectives to complex societal issues by a co-creative approach and guides them to further evaluate innovative products and services for a sustainable world.
Complimentary to the core academic studies, students engage with IKEA, the program’s main industrial partner. IKEA contributes with Democratic Design principles, latest methods and tools as well as workshops and tutoring to train product development processes in real time, thus giving the students a hands-on opportunity to corporate projects and providing them the opportunity to implement knowledge and practices in a multidisciplinary team to create a better everyday life for the many people.
The uniqueness of this course is that it has students from three different faculties - Business, Engineering and Design and brings together a diversity of competences, backgrounds and experiences to enable the innovation process in all its complexity to address the challenges that humankind is facing regarding environmental and social issues. Eventually, the course deepens students’ understanding not only on knowledge and skills that influence the innovation process but also trains them in the professional way of working in a multidisciplinary context.
Växjö – the student city with a living campus
Just south of Växjö’s city centre you will find Linnaeus University’s campus. In Växjö, many students choose to live on campus.
Here you will have five minutes’ walking distance to friends, restaurants, lecture rooms, gym, grocery store, the University Library, nature trails, and student pubs. If you live in another part of Växjö, you can quickly get to the university by bus or bicycle.
With its 90 000 inhabitants, Växjö is one of the fastest growing cities in Sweden. Here you will find the famous Småland entrepreneurship spirit and a lot of companies, for instance within the IT industry – perfect for when you are looking for an internship position or a job. Växjö is also a picturesque city where you are always close to forests and water.
Build your own degree
Did you know that you can combine single-subject courses to build your own degree? In this way, you can design your own degree based on your interests and the career you are aiming for. This does not apply to all courses so make sure to check with a study counsellor at the faculty. Learn more about how you can build your own degree and become unique on the labour market.