An exciting and highly interactive learning experience was offered by the DAISSy Research Group of the Hellenic Open University (HOU), within the framework of the “Developing Skills in Intellectual Property Rights Open Data for Sustainability and Circularity – (IPR4SC)” European project, which is implemented by the Research Group as the Greek partner.
This refers to the Co-Design Jam course series, an intensive innovation “sprint”-type workshop that enabled learners to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, design business ideas with a focus on sustainability and the circular economy, and at the same time become familiar with the way to integrate Intellectual Property (IP) tools into all stages of the creative process.
It is a fact that the Co-Design Jam was not a typical educational activity, as participants had the opportunity to:
- Apply design thinking methodologies to issues of sustainability and circularity.
- Co-develop, present, and optimize green business ideas.
- Understand how to strategically leverage IP tools (such as trademarks, patents, and design rights) to protect and scale their innovations.
- Use the IP Monitor, a digital tool developed by the IPR4SC project, to identify IP-related issues and opportunities already at the design stage.
It is noteworthy that the Co-Design Jam brought together learners from diverse educational and knowledge backgrounds—from entrepreneurship and engineering to the arts and environmental studies. Its interactive nature enhanced collaborative learning, critical thinking, and rapid idea generation.
Under the guidance of distinguished facilitators from the transnational partners of the IPR4SC project, including DAISSy-HOU, the teams developed and presented their proposals to address real-world problems of modern economic activity. As a result, participants gained valuable technical knowledge, while also cultivating key soft skills such as teamwork, creativity, and communication, in a setting that bridged sustainable entrepreneurship and intellectual property.
Moreover, as the pilot cycle of the Co-Design Jam has been concluded, the course emerged as a model of active and experiential learning, with the potential to transform the way intellectual property and sustainability are taught in higher and professional education across Europe.
It is noteworthy, that the implementation of the IPR4SC European project, included a comprehensive educational program, consisting of Co-Design Jam, I2P4Green and IPR4Data courses, aiming at cultivating IP skills for businesses, enriched with green, digital, and entrepreneurial competencies.
This innovative educational experience was fully aligned with the fundamental goal of the IPR4SC project: to equip the new generation of entrepreneurs and inventors in Europe with the necessary tools to thrive in a digital, circular, and sustainable economy.
The IPR4SC is a three-year project, co-funded by the ERASMUS+ program of the European Union. It is implemented by a consortium of ten (10) partners from six (6) European countries (Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Slovenia) and brings together Universities and organizations from across Europe. DAISSY-HOU, the Greek partner, aimed primarely and achieved to develop educational programs so as to bridge intellectual property rights management with sustainable entrepreneurship practices.
For more information on the IPR4SC project, and other activities of DAISSy-HOU:
- Websites: https://daissy.eu/, https://www.ipr4sc.eu/main.php
- Facebook: @DAISSyResearchGroup, @IPR4SC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daissyresearchgroup/
- Instagram: @daissy_researchgroup
- Email: info@daissy.eap.gr
