Vision and mission

The world is changing at lightning speed. It will not be enough to patch up or rebuild current structures to achieve a socially just future within the ecological limits of our planet. It challenges us to act radically differently. Seeing possibilities rather than barriers, Howest’s vision aligns with the iconic quote from the Star Trek film: ‘To boldly go where no one has gone before!‘ By creating an environment where opportunities are given, talents are developed and the courage to do things differently is encouraged, Howest aims to anticipate the future with its community. The values of service, empowerment and care are part of Howest’s DNA.

The creation of the Mind-and Makerspace on the Bruges campus in 2019 is another expression of this DNA. An open place to learn and meet, where everyone can develop skills for the future. The MaM aims to help develop 4 transformative skills: (1) self-development and critical thinking, (2) creativity, (3) sharing and collaboration, and (4) courage and initiative. These are skills that will enable everyone to make small and big changes in the world. They are inspired by the Inner Development Goals model (Jordan, 2011) and the 4Cs (communication, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity) from the P21 Frameworks for 21st Century Learning by Battelle for Kids (2019).

Do you want a deeper understanding of the impact goals of the MaM? Read the summary of our impact research project.

Research summary

The MaM Approach

The MaM provides infrastructure, network, knowledge, methods, activities and guidance to develop transformative skills. MaM operates a physical space with many materials and equipment available to diverse audiences. It occupies much of the ground floor of the Howest campus in Bruges, easily accessible from the city’s central station. The site is divided into several rooms, each of which has a specific function. The MaM offers access to a mix of various analogue and digitally controlled machines, such as an etching press, a glass and ceramic kiln, a cutting plotter, a 3D printer and a laser cutter. Other facilities include a woodworking shop, five fully equipped photography studios, an audio studio, and spaces to think, study and collaborate. The infrastructure allows for multi-functional use and encourages cross-fertilisation of ideas. It inspires creative thinking as well as action, allowing users to exchange experiences across disciplines; encouraging the sharing of knowledge, skills, materials and infrastructure.

But MaM is more than a physical space. It’s a learning, knowledge-sharing and networking platform, both offline and online. A diverse team provides lifelong learning activities beyond what you would expect from a university or formal learning. They build bridges between individuals, organisations and Howest, fostering a transdisciplinary and inclusive community. The team engages in co-creation with the users and provides support where it is needed. The MaM plays a significant role as a crucial node in a wide-ranging and resilient network by recognising opportunities and fostering collaboration among individuals and organizations. Rather than seeking to coordinate everything, it prioritizes active participation.

Learn, dare, make, share & care!

Our credo for everything we do within the Mind and Makerspace is ‘learn, dare, make, share & care‘. These 5 elements are always present in the way we welcome visitors, organise events… Depending on the goal and target group, some elements may be more present in activities than others.

Learn: We believe that everyone can continuously develop through learning and experience. Therefore, MaM-users are offered powerful learning environments with appropriate guidance, methods and tools and materials.
Dare: Every mistake holds a valuable lesson, offering inspiration within failure. This is why the MaM encourages its users to venture into unfamiliar territory, embracing new experiences.
Make: Making is the active process of creating or building something tangible. The MaM encourages its users to go beyond theoretical understanding and bring ideas and knowledge to life through physical or digital fabrication.
Share: As a MaM user, you are invited to share with the network. This can be about knowledge, skills, materials, infrastructure…. In short, all kinds of resources.
Care: Care encompasses the idea of fostering a sense of responsibility and attentiveness towards oneself, others, and the planet.

 

The MaM is open to all

A lot can and does happen in the Mind and Makerspace. Our broad offer consists of the following activities:

  1. Organizing and managing the Mind- and Makerspace
  2. Learning activities, for life!
  3. Building a network
  4. Platform for learning, knowledge sharing and matchmaking
  5. Setting up and facilitating joint projects and collaborations
  6. Raising awareness and communication actions

The MaM is open to all: to individuals, organizations and universities.

Impact research

The activities of social entrepreneurs are aimed at creating change and social value. This is what defines them. Impact is the change that occurs in society as a result of actions, both direct and indirect, intended and unintended, positive and negative (Mohout & Peeters, 2020). Measuring the impact of activities provides valuable information. It is not about defending the approach, but about enabling organisations to make targeted improvements and increase their impact. It requires openness and the courage to be vulnerable as an organisation.

Howest facilitated a two-year research project to evaluate the impact of The Mind and Makerspace. The project had three aims: to map the model of change that is driving the implementation of MaM, to find out if and under what conditions the MaM approach works, and what changes it brings for users and other stakeholders. The study has taken ‘program theory’ or ‘theory of change (TOC)’ as a starting point.

The impact research has given us an understanding of how MaM operates, how to reach our target audiences and how to achieve out impact goals. The change model tells us what the MaM approach is about and how it relates to the change we want to achieve. It gives us a clear message to share with our stakeholders. By comparing impact targets with the impact achieved, we can adjust the MaM approach. We are committed to make measuring and maximising impact an integral part of driving MaM forward.

Curious about the insights of the research team?

Impact research

Quintuple helix for social innovation

Like any organization, MaM is influenced by the context in which it operates. The social, environmental and economic challenges facing the world are huge and complex. There is a need for transitions: fundamental and irreversible changes in culture, (institutional) structures and ways of working at system level. This context calls for new skills and new ways of thinking today and certainly for the future. As a university of applied sciences, Howest has an important role to play in transitions. Social engagement is one of the spearheads in Howest’s strategic vision ‘22-’28.

MaM was born out of the knowledge and experience of passionate Howest students and staff who wanted to create an inspiring and open space for social creativity. From the outset, the common denominator was an open infrastructure, accessible to all. In addition to space, equipment and materials, experience and knowledge are also shared assets within the concept. The MaM supports exchanges between people involved in different programmes, research projects and other university spaces, as well as with people from outside the university, such as makers, entrepreneurs, businesses, social organizations and other citizens. The MaM is a gateway for Howest to connect with citizens, organizations, government and other knowledge institutions. This functions as a quintuple helix for open innovation. This model underlines the role of society as a key actor in social innovations, and the importance of actively involving the public in innovation projects.

Open education

The MaM allows Howest to function as an open university in Bruges, a city of craftsmen and makers. An open university, not an island in town. Open Education is one of the European guidelines for modernising higher education and promoted by the Flemish regional government. Through open education, everyone is able to access educational opportunities, including content, courses, support, assessment, certification and networking, which are tailored to meet their needs. Having multiple ways to access and combine formal and nonformal education is crucial. MaM serves as a crossroad between Howest’s programmes, research projects, the professional field and the wider community. It aims at making lifelong learning and the new digital and entrepreneurial skills and competences needed for employment, personal development and social inclusion more accessible. The transdisciplinary model is designed to synergise and thus create added value for everyone involved.

Strong local roots

In recent years, Bruges has seen a rapid growth in makerspaces: House of Time (Triënnale Bruges 2018, Brugge Plus), the Lab (2018, The Entrepot) and the MaM (2019, Howest). This has been driven by an urgent need for creative space. Under the label ‘BOA – Bruges Open Ateliers’, these three open makerspaces collaborate. The City of Bruges has many initiatives and partners promoting entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills among individuals, organisations and universities. The MaM strengthens these initiatives with its activities. Through the platform, the MaM highlights and stimulates entrepreneurship, shares knowledge, supports matchmaking, cooperates with other initiatives and promotes transformational skills among entrepreneurs. Bruges wants to position itself as a sustainable city and is committed to change. The MaM wants to capitalise on initiatives that make the city a better place to live. As a creative place, the MaM wants not only to think along, but also particpate in the initiatives of the public.