Association of Universities of Applied Sciences
National Platform for Professional Master’s Degree Programmes
Working conference Masters of Tomorrow

March 2023

REQUEST

Our society is facing transitions in sustainability, aging and digitalization, with climate, energy and care as main themes. This makes professions more complex and increases the demand for master’s degree graduates. Universities of applied sciences play a role in innovation through their education and research. The question is: ‘How do HBO master’s degree programs contribute to the future?’ The Association of Universities of Applied Sciences asks us to design an inspiring, activating and meaningful work conference.

EXECUTION

We design a World Café, combined with Future design and LEGO Serious Play. Wiro Kuipers inspires with a substantive contribution about the future and moderates the session. The day takes place at CHE in Ede, the Netherlands with approx. 80 participants; all universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands are represented. In the morning we look back 16 years to 2007 (Past design) and move the participants forward to 2037 (Future design). In the afternoon we build the future through LEGO Serious Play.

THEMES

In the morning, the participants become time travelers, who first look back 16 years to 2007. Then they travel to 2039 to advise the developers of masters in 2023 on what they can best do. This method stimulates and provides relevant ideas. In the afternoon session, a number of selected issues are elaborated in the World Café LEGO Serious Play and the building rounds lead to concrete recommendations. Wiro Kuipers and Jaap Voerman guide the entire day. Report_23-03-2023_MastervanMorgen