Innovation@EAST
NICK ALCHIN
Head, UWCSEA College
"We’re looking to nurture and sustain an entrepreneurial, experimental approach to innovation."
A message from the Head of UWCSEA College
We mentor students to
take their original
concepts from idea to
launch.
In doing so, we engage students in learning both from their mistakes.
As well as recognising their successes.
LAUNCH OF INNOVATION@EAST
2020/2021 was the inaugural year of the East Innovation initiative due to the generous support of KP and Priya Balaraj, parents of alumni, which established innovation as a focus of creative community engagement and entrepreneurial student activity across the campus.
Several new ideas were explored, others expanded and a range of existing student initiatives were brought together and nurtured under the Innovation@EAST umbrella.
It was a transformative year in which the initiative was defined with a mission and vision statement, establishing a solid foundation and momentum for many successful years ahead.
PARTNERSHIPS
Collaboration with external partners is a key strategic aim in the development of UWCSEA Innovation@EAST, and throughout
the first year, relationships were built with local and regional partners that will prove mutually beneficial in the years to come.
Partnerships are critical as they allow students to draw expertise from industry partners and experts so that their ideas can be tested against real-world constraints and have the best possible chance of success.
The Community Lab onsite at East, with its expertise and existing relationships within the Tampines neighbourhood is a natural partner, as is the Dover Campus IDEAS Hub.
UWCSEA alumni have a wealth of knowledge to share and Innovation@EAST presented an interactive seminar at the August 2021 Alumni Reunion.
In February and March 2021, East and Dover students participated in the Smart City Programme and Challenge in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation.
LOOKING AHEAD
The first year of Innovation@EAST surpassed expectations and has shown the tremendous depth of innovative thinking and talent to make the world a better place through the interplay between technology and creativity.
While in the longer term, there may be a dedicated innovation space established on East, the focus is on supporting students to take their original concepts from ideation to launch.
Students are empowered to create innovative products, services and systems that provide solutions to real-world problems and needs
within their community.
Key areas of Innovation.
Made for students to explore and develop an innovator's mindset outside of the classroom, whilst keeping the UWC mission at the forefront of their thinking.
Designing complementary products and services to create robust, scalable systems
Examples may include:
Sustainable Food | Planet Centric Design | Open-Source Platforms | Internet of Things | Smart City | eWaste
Making a product or process easier to try, use, and enjoy for a particular purpose
Examples may include:
Sharing Economy | UX Experience | Augmented Reality Community Partnership Coding | Social Startups
Developing products with distinguishing features and functionality
Examples may include:
Circular Design | Modular Design | Game Design Robotics | Industrial Design | eTextiles
ENTREPRENEURIAL ENGAGEMENT: Enacting the UWC Mission
Challenge the
Status quo
UWCSEA students are entrepreneurs: they are not satisfied with the world as it is. They want to improve it. Channelling their creativity, curiosity and constructive discontent, they seek out opportunities and possibilities.
Supporting students
ambitions
Innovation@EAST mentors students to take their original concepts from ideation to launch. In doing so, we engage students in learning both from their mistakes as well as their successes.
Develop an
Innovator's Mindset
As students internalise an innovator’s mindset, they take responsibility for connecting and collaborating with our local community to create innovative products, services and systems.