We co-created a MOOC!
– Workshops with students, higher education staff, and tourism professionals as a foundation for the course

Bringing students and higher education staff from Slovenia, Finland and Portugal together, we spent an intensive week titled “I will be idea manager!” in Stavanger, Norway, working together with local students, teachers and tourism professionals.

Malla Alatalo, M.A, specialist, Responsibility in Business and Services
Aneeq Bukhari, tourism student, Lapland UAS
Mona Feodoroff, M.Ed., specialist, Responsibility in Business and Services
Ye Zhang, tourism student, Lapland UAS

I will be idea manager – an intensive week in Stavanger

In the framework of our international Erasmus+ project From Research to Working Life: Students as Knowledge Brokers for Entrepreneurial Development (ReWo), we teamed up with students and industry practitioners and delved into the concept of idea management. Bringing students and higher education staff from Slovenia, Finland and Portugal together, we spent an intensive week titled “I will be idea manager!” in Stavanger, Norway, working together with local students, teachers and tourism professionals.

Working around the concept of idea management we aimed to tackle the challenge that students’ skills, competence, and research results are not utilized enough in the working world of tourism. As a solution, we proposed the role of an idea manager bridging the gap between academia and working life. The purpose of being an idea manager is to bring the knowledge and know-how generated by theses, internships, study courses and projects into the practical work field. By stepping into the role of idea managers, students actively address workplace issues, refining their skills and enhancing their career opportunities in the process. This collaborative approach not only fosters personal growth for students but also strengthens partnerships between higher education institutions and the tourism industry and why not other sectors, too.

In this blog post, we highlight the process we went through with students. Next, you can read how our students reflect on their experiences from the intensive Learning Teaching Training week. In the end of this post, we reveal the brand-new MOOC to which anyone is welcome to learn about idea management.

13 September 2024
Creative week kickoff: inspiring moments, new ideas, and global connections

The opening session introduced the IDEA Manager model, emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Group discussions on knowledge transfer sparked fresh ideas and practical insights, setting the tone for the week.

A highlight was a talk on higher education’s evolving role in tourism. As someone passionate about both fields, we found it eye-opening and motivating. The day ended with a city tour alongside classmates and teachers from Norway, Portugal, and Slovenia. Exploring the city’s culture, while sharing stories and laughter, made it unforgettable.

14 September 2024
Pulpit Rock excursion: a hike of inspiration, reflection, and growth

Our hike to Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) was unforgettable. Spanning 8 kilometers round trip, the trail combined challenges, rewards, and moments of reflection. The diverse terrain – rocky paths, forested stretches, and scenic views (picture 1) – set the stage for informal discussions on mentorship, leadership, and IDEA Manager roles.

Reaching Pulpit Rock felt like a true accomplishment. The breathtaking view made every step worthwhile, leaving us with a profound sense of achievement and connection to nature’s beauty.

Picture 1. Lapland UAS team atop of the Pulpit Rock.

15 September 2024
Salmon safari: a lesson in resilience and conservation

Today, we had the opportunity to meet with one collaboration partner of our Norwegian host organization and, at the same time, explore the adventure tourism program offerings by participating in a salmon safari! Although we didn’t witness salmon swimming upstream, their resilience in overcoming obstacles to reach their spawning grounds was awe-inspiring. This remarkable journey reminded us of nature’s quiet wonders and the importance of ecological conservation.

What resonated most was observing the interconnectedness of all living things. Salmon play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, feeding species, and enriching ecosystems. Seeing how this delicate balance relies on salmon offered a profound appreciation for nature.

This experience highlighted the peace and inspiration nature provides and underscored our shared responsibility to preserve these ecosystems for future generations.

16 September 2024
Full-day workshop on the role of the idea manager

Returning to the workshops, we spent a full day exploring the concept and process of idea management. The day’s program combined theory and exercises, both individually and in groups (Picture 2). We concluded the day with a delightful farewell dinner at Fish&Cow. As Asians, the taste of the dishes was a bit new for us, but we truly enjoyed the fish. Since we don’t eat meat, trying something different made the experience all the more special!

Picture 2. Presenting results of the group work.

17 September 2024
Final day: wrap-up

As we approached the conclusion of our project, the final day was dedicated to wrapping up tasks, exchanging valuable feedback, and sharing experiences of the enriching learning and adventures we had over the past few days. The concluding discussions were centered on reflecting and sharing insights on idea manager skills and competencies, and how these topics could be taught to students (Picture 3). Before heading home, we managed to squeeze in some time for souvenir shopping, ensuring we had tangible memories of this incredible journey.

Picture 3. Exploring the role and competencies of an idea manager.

This blend of professional development, thrilling nature adventures, one-of-a-kind activities, and the chance to savor new and exciting flavors made the entire experience nothing short of extraordinary. For anyone passionate about sustainable tourism, Stavanger and its breathtaking surroundings offer a perfect blend of learning, exploration, and inspiration. It’s a destination that not only captures the essence of responsible travel but also leaves you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

MOOC to equip students with idea management skills

The workshops with students along with other outcomes of the project formed the basis for a MOOC focusing on the basics of idea management. By overtaking the course, participants will understand the role of an Idea Manager in fostering innovation within tourism and hospitality, acting as a catalyst for effective idea development and implementation. The MOOC covers four sections: Idea Management, Visualising the concept, Evaluation and General Dynamics, and Implementing and sustaining Ideas. The MOOC was created by the international ReWo project team guided and instructed by University of Stavanger. It is free and open for anyone interested in the topic. We warmly welcome you to join us in learning and getting inspired: Idea Management – Meeting the futures need of innovation and co-creation – UiS/NettOp

The project in a nutshell

From Research to Working Life: Students as Knowledge Brokers for Entrepreneurial Development (ReWo) was an Erasmus+ funded project (2022–2024) aim was to create permanent methods and practices for developing education and research structures, within higher education institutes and to enhance cooperation between education institutes and international working life.

The international consortium had four partners: the University of Maribor as a lead partner, the University of Stavanger, the Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies and the Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.