Edward de Bono Institute celebrates World Creativity and Innovation Week
The Edward de Bono Institute for the Design and Development of Thinking has announced that the Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be offered at the University of Malta – Gozo Campus for the first time in October.
This Diploma is aimed at individuals who would like to further their education and improve their career prospects but are not in a position to attend full-time day courses in Malta due to other commitments. Students shall develop knowledge, transferable skills and attitudes concerning creativity and idea generation, innovation (including innovation management) and entrepreneurship.
These are vital for starting up and running a business, for enhancing employment prospects, and for advancing careers, since the demand for creative employees who are able to adapt to change, recognise opportunities, solve problems and lead innovation is rising, both locally and overseas.
The course shall extend over a period of four semesters (two academic years) of part-time study, with lectures being held twice a week (usually Friday evenings and Saturday mornings). This announcement was made as part of the Institute’s World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) celebrations, which included the following activities.
On Wednesday, 19 April, a Creativity Festival was held for patients at the Paediatric Wards at Mater Dei Hospital. A variety of activities including painting, jewellery-making, card-making, story-telling and a workshop about story-writing were offered to the young patients.
The Creativity Festival drew to an end with performances from two choirs, namely Stagecoach and the Ministry of Music. The festival was made possible with the support of the Paulo Freire Institute, Natalie Portelli, Cheer Amigos, Corporate Gifts Malta and Bricks 4 Kids Malta. Supporting the Edward de Bono Institute on this activity were also a number of students and other volunteers who dedicated their free time to this event. This event was organised by Institute lecturer Dr Margaret Mangion in collaboration with the management and staff of Mater Dei Hospital.
On Saturday, 22 April, the Institute participated in Science in the Citadel on the island of Gozo. Hundreds of enthusiasts visited the Institute’s stand entitled Discover Your Creative Potential, where they met with our lecturers and students and enjoyed a variety of fun brain-training activities which were designed for individuals and groups of all ages.
On Monday, 24 April, the Institute concluded this year’s WCIW events in Malta with the award ceremony of the Social Innovation Challenge: Enable and Engage, a competition that was launched during WCIW 2016 in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing with the support of Mapfre Middlesea and Mapfre MSV Life. The winning entry, Sieħbi Kelin was submitted by Dr John Mary Farrugia. It entails an innovative mobile phone design to assist the elderly in their daily life.
In addition to the above-mentioned part-time Diploma, the Edward de Bono Institute also offers a Master in Creativity and Innovation, and a PhD in Creativity, Innovation, Entrepreneurship or Foresight. These are available on both a full- and part-time basis. For further information about the Institute’s courses and activities visit www.um.edu.mt/create, email instituteofthinking@um.edu.mt or phone on +356 2340 2434.