The Durban University of Technology, Engineering Department invited the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CSERI) to conduct a design thinking workshop for first-year Industrial Engineering students at Steve Biko Campus.
The workshop focused on training the students to think outside the box and develop problem-solving skills, along with an entrepreneurial spirit. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Brightness Nonkosi Nyawose, who is the Business Development Officer at CSERI. With her wealth of experience and knowledge, she engaged the students in several activities that challenged their thinking and helped them to develop their creative muscles.
Design thinking is a problem-solving methodology that focuses on understanding the users’ needs, challenges, and pain points. It involves a collaborative approach to problem-solving, where different individuals come together to brainstorm ideas and solutions. The workshop was designed to equip the students with the necessary tools and techniques to think like designers and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
The first session of the workshop was focused on introducing the students to the design thinking process. Ms. Nyawose led the students through a series of exercises that helped them to identify the users’ needs, pain points, and challenges. The students were also taught how to conduct user research and how to use that data to develop design solutions.
On the second session, the students were challenged to apply the design thinking process to a real-world problem. They were divided into groups and tasked with developing a solution to a problem that was presented to them. The groups were required to brainstorm ideas, develop prototypes, and present their solutions to the rest of the class.
The workshop was a great success, and the students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from Ms. Nyawose. Students left the workshop with a better understanding of the design thinking process and the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Students were also inspired to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and use their skills to solve real-world problems.
Pictured: DUT Industrial engineering students and Ms Nyawose
-Snelisiwe Hlongwane
