Connected Campus Challenge

The pandemic-induced isolation experienced in both learning and working environments has presented us with significant challenges to tackle. We’re confronted with the task of swiftly integrating new members into our community, providing fresh incentives for existing members to reconnect, and addressing persistent disconnects among VU community members that predate the pandemic.

To address this challenge, we want to create a space that pushes the boundaries of conventional higher education settings — a space where students and employees not only come to study and work but also to live and thrive. How can we help international students feel more welcome? How can we bridge classroom activities to society? How can we create a more connected and supportive campus community?

With this challenge we aimed to c-create a campus that empowers everyone, fosters mutual respect, embraces technological advancements, nurtures meaningful relationships, and equips individuals with effective stress management techniques.

Challenge champions

3D debate center

Connected World VU

How can we have an impact?

The 3D group consists of students and employees of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Programmers in 3D are organized with and for students and employees of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and are in line with the needs of the VU community.

Connected World bring together what can be (re)connected. Society and nature. City and countryside. The real and virtual world. Human and artificial intelligence. Local, national and international politics and society. Connections that create space for expression of one’s own identity and those of others.

Impact Lab rallied the VU community to reimagine the VU campus as a meaningful learning and social hub. Together, we want to co-create a nurturing and dynamic environment where students from all walks of life feel right at home.

Winning ideators and their ideas

For 10 weeks, students, staff members, and teachers collaborated to reimagine the future of the VU campus: a space that empowers everyone, embraces technological innovation, and fosters mutual support.

Fifty-four ideas were submitted, presenting a challenging decision for the jury in selecting the winners. On December 8th, we gathered to mark the end of the Connected Campus Challenge. Miranda van Holland, the force behind Life is Better in 3D and VU Campusradio, announced the winners live. The winners, during their talk, gave us a peek into what inspired them. As a next exciting step, the winners are gearing up to join the ‘Change Maker’ program, where they will gain valuable experience in bringing their ideas to life.

Impact and Inspiration Award

Özlem Bayazit secured the Impact and Inspiration Award for her innovative ‘VU Business Market‘ idea. She suggests establishing a dynamic ‘market’ where VU students can showcase their small businesses or skills, fostering collaboration and connection. Özlem envisions the VU Business Market as a vibrant space where students not only grow personally and professionally.

Wellbeing Award

Tjeerd Thunissen won the Wellbeing Award for the ‘VU Stairwell Art Competition‘ idea. Recognizing the incredible creativity among fellow students, Tjeerd aims to provide a platform for everyone to fight stress through creativity. Tjeerd proposes an organized art competition with a prize – the reward being the display of winning pieces on a prominent wall in the main building’s stairwell.

Cultural Awareness Award

Laura Ivaci and Bertram Ponoicny received the Cultural Awareness Award for their outstanding ‘Culture/Country Fairs‘ idea. They suggest organizing an annual event to provide students with insights into various cultures. At the fair, students will have the opportunity to explore different cultures through food, traditions, humor, unusual subcultures, and traditional clothing.

Top Collaborator Award

Loai Al-Aghbari earned the Top Collaborator Award, a testament to his exceptional dedication to supporting the community’s idea development. He garnered the highest number of Impact Points through actively providing constructive feedback, participating in the Lunch and Learn Meetups, and thoughtfully reflecting on comments while advancing his own idea. This recognition underscores Loai’s valuable contributions to the collaborative spirit of the Impact Lab community.

Crowd’s Choice Award

Hsen Khalil received the Crowd’s Choice Award for his outstanding ‘VU GreenCents: Recycling for Sustainability and Savings‘ idea, which garnered the highest number of votes on the platform. His idea suggests implementing a “statiegeld” recycling system at VU, incentivizing plastic bottle recycling among students. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also provides a financial incentive, offering a practical and environmentally conscious solution to waste management on campus.

Shared ideas

55

Ideas

110

Comments

105

Votes

During the 10 -week challenge, we collected 55 focused on reimagining the traditional campus experience. From Language Cafe and Music studio to Student Kitchen, these ideas will help us co-create a nurturing and dynamic environment where students and employees from all walks of life feel right at home.

Rewards

Make your voice heard

Contributors shared their ideas and comments to create changes and influence how others’ solutions will be developed.

Griffoen gift card

Winning Contributors received gift cards for the university cultural center Griffoen, where they can connect through art courses or theater.

€200

The top collaborator was awarded a €200 voucher for assisting the Impact Lab community in developing ideas.

Start the change

Winning Contributors become part of an implementation team and see their ideas brought to life!

One day Challenge

To kick off the Connected Campus challenge, we organized a one-day challenge at the Introduction Days, when university students flood the campus to explore what the it can offer. We invited Bachelor’s and Master’s students to brainstorm ideas in the one-day challenge to enhance the campus experience. In 2 weeks the Impact Lab Team chose the winners. Every winner received a prize — a self-guided tour to forge connections with Amsterdam and each other. All submitted ideas stayed on the platform and get a chance to win in the Connected Campus Challenge to get implemented.

Lunch and Learn Meetups

Recognizing the value of face-to-face interaction, we decided to organize two Lunch and Learn Meetups, complete with pizza and drinks to keep everyone energized. Our goal? To facilitate connections among the community from diverse backgrounds, encourage exchange of perspectives and promote collaboration.

How did it start?

At the Lunch and Learn Meetup, students from different faculties, from Business and Economics to Health Sciences, gathered for a workshop. We kicked off by encouraging everyone to share the funniest ideas they had ever come up with.

What is a ‘good’ idea?

After that, we started talking about what defines a ‘good’ idea. Students shared their unique perspectives on what what gives an idea its true value and delved in the process of ideation.

How did it end?

We ended the Meetup with a mini hackathon, fueling creativity with pizza and drinks. Participants engaged in discussions, refining and sometimes entirely reinventing their ideas.

Next Step

At the Second Lunch and Learn Meetup, Contributors connected with Challenge Influencers and Champions. They gained insights into evaluation factors and learned how to refine their ideas for better chances of winning the Challenge.