The Future of Education

IPCA is the most recent Public HEI in Portugal, founded in 1994, in the Minho region. The School of Design (ESD) is one of four schools, offering a broad range of Bachelor, Master and Professional Short-cycle Courses. Beyond education and applied research, ESD is committed to regional, national and international cultural and artistic activity and to the fundamental role that Design has, and can have, in the society and in the regional development. In cooperation with some national and regional development agencies and programs, ESD planned a training project for small businesses and companies in Minho. It included a capacity building training program through Design, knowledge transfer at the level of communication design, digital design and product design for companies of predominant areas in the region such as textile, ceramics and wine industry. This industrial context is formed by small and medium-sized family businesses that have been recognized by the quality of its products. However, there is a lack of visibility of the existing brands and services offered, resulting in a decrease in competitiveness. This is where the design thinking strategy can help: in the systematization and sharing of the information available and in the creation of a tool kit that enables small businesses and companies, to improve their communication strategies and boost their real and virtual presence in the global market.
The activities carried out included:
— Analysis/diagnosis ‘Innovation through design in Cávado companies’;
— Web platform of the project “https://web.ipca.pt/dei/”;
— Design, Companies and innovation Forum.
We intend to present the results and future intentions of this project, considering that this companies are the principal employers of our students.
We aim to continue with the project promoting actions like:
— Design weeks;
— Exhibitions;
— Design Innovation Lab.
We believe that, as a school, we are fulfilling the mission of polytechnic higher education in relation and training of companies. the work was developed by ESD researchers and teachers, and is currently being extended to undergraduate and masters students who have participated actively in the business forum already held. Research, knowledge transfer and teaching through practice are at the heart of design education.

Keywords: Design, Knowledge transfer, Region, Companies;