Stellenbosch University Think Tank by Katrien Vanelven, KU Leuven

1. 12 December 2018
EADTU Peer Learning Activity – Virtual Mobility
KU Leuven – Stellenbosch University Think Tank

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Contents
1. In a nutshell
2. Format
3. Lessons Learnt

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In a nutshell

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In a nutshell
• Extra-curricular Honours Programme
• International and intercultural
• Each university selects up to 15 students
• Students define content within a given central theme, and shape their own multidisciplinary
research project
• International, interdisciplinary academic team of coaches
• Regular work sessions,
including video conference sessions
with invited speakers
• Campus visits
• Very student-driven

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Previous editions
2017
Art & Science: An Enduring Relationship
2016
Brave New World? Merging Technology and Society: Opportunities, Challenges
and Threats for the Quality of Life.
2015
Making the City of the Future. Spatial Planning, Diversity, Sustainability, System
Inputs and Outputs, and Adaptability

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Current edition
The Voice of the People.
Izwi labantu – Stem van het volk – Vox Populi –
Die stem van die mense

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2019 edition

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Format

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Objectives
• Students deepen and share knowledge of discipline, and broaden it by
outstepping boundaries own field of study
• Students share insights and perspectives in direct dialogue with students and
experts from various disciplines
• Students are forced to look at own context and points of view in different way,
when confronted with students with different daily reality and cultural context.
• Students are challenged to think out of the box
• Transferable skill development
• Gain experience in communicating experiences to broad audience

10. • Average of 2-3 hours per week
• Depending on phase
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Workload students

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Structure
• February to May: Evening work sessions, including invited speakers and video conference
sessions
• Easter Break: Focus Week on campus 1
• July – August:
• Students organise collaboration autonomously
• Present progress report and comprehensive content statement
• September - November:
• Feedback phase
• Continuous progress reports on projects and preparing Workshop Week.
• Finalising texts and other material
• End of November: Concluding event on campus 2
E.g.: 2015 and 2016: presentation and public debate. 2017: exhibition. 2018: documentary film.

12. Role:
• Guidance. Being available and supportive.
• Evening work sessions: moderation of discussions
• Supervising content and timeline
• Providing necessary contacts (e.g. ethical committee, experts in topic, etc.)
• Evaluation of students’ participation
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Academic coaches

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Academic coaches
Team:
• 4 faculty members at KU Leuven and 2 at Stellenbosch University. Volunteers.
• Workload:
• Evening sessions: 3 hours (including preparation)
• Follow-up: 1 hour per week. Coaching via email.
• Focus Week and Workshop Week: intense coaching

14. Role:
• Communication: preparing call, website, sessions, students,...
• Liaison between both teams.
• Organising selection committee meeting, evening sessions, campus visits,
participation in events,…
• Following up on students’ progress and briefing academic team
• Budget
Team:
• 1 administrative staff at KU Leuven. 2 at Stellenbosch University.
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Non-academic support staff

15. Workload:
• Evening sessions: 4 hours (including preparation)
• Follow-up: 1 hour/week
• Focus Week and Workshop Week: full-time
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Non-academic support staff

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Profile of students
• Master’s student at KU Leuven at
start programme
• Excellent academic record
• Intrigued by theme
• Motivated to engage in 10-month
multidisciplinary research project
• Motivated to invest in intercultural
cooperation
• Demonstrate social commitment and
interest in social issues
• Good working knowledge of English
and excellent communication skills
• Looking for extra challenge
• Open to self-reflection

17. • Engage themselves to participate in evening sessions, Focus Week and
Workshop Week.
• Make clear effort to contribute to project and collaborate with fellow students.
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Profile of students

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Application
Mid-October: Call. Deadline: 30 November.
Application file should include
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Copy transcript Bachelor’s studies
• If applicable: copy transcript previously completed Master's degree
Selection criteria
• Academic record Bachelors/Honours/Masters.
• Motivation letter (affinity with proposed theme)
• Study progress
Application and Selection

19. • Only KU Leuven group / Stellenbosch University group
• Brainstorm session
• Invited speaker with open discussion
• Visits to organisations, events, lectures, etc. related to central theme
• Evening sessions for all students
• High-quality video conferencing
• Presentations and documents are shared on screen
• Discussions moderated by coaches
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Evening sessions

20. • Content development with joint lectures, workshops and discussions,
decisions on substantive focal points and structure of papers,..
• Consensus on content of sub projects to be developed
• Consensus on format of output to be delivered by Workshop Week
• Clarification of South-African and Belgian context
• Community-building and facilitating communication
• Stimulating collaboration and substantive process
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Focus Week

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Focus Week
• 50% work sessions
• 40% organised teambuilding and leisure activities
• 10% free time

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Workshop Week
• Content and formal elaboration of concluding presentation of results
• Formal public presentation: symposium, posters, exhibition, debate, etc.
• Cultural activities and trips

23. • 50% work sessions
• 35-40% leisure activities
• 10-15% free time
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Workshop Week

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Dissemination

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Dissemination

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Evaluation of students’ participation
• Permanent, continuous evaluation
• Each team evaluates its own students
• Show clear effort to contribute to the project and to collaborate with fellow
students at KU Leuven and Stellenbosch University.

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Recognition of students’ participation
• Certificate signed by both institutions

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Recognition of students’ participation
• Extra-Curricular I-Portfolio. Officially KU Leuven Honours Programme.

29. “I learned a lot about teamwork across borders – not only challenging due to
geographical distance but also due to variations in regard of cultural-specific
values, working attitudes, and personalities. One of the most pleasant, yet
hardest teamwork so far – I almost feel like I could handle any kind of teamwork
I will encounter in the future. A nice by-product: I am now confident that I want to
pursue a research career after my graduation.”
- Charlotte, Think Tank 2018
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Feedback from Participants

30. “The Think Tank is truly an environment to think and grow without the pressures
of having to perform. It is that freedom of thought and the interactions with so
many different students that provided a space where students were not afraid to
say what they really thought.
The Think Tank is a unique experience as it challenges one in different ways
than the challenges faced in one’s studies or everyday life. You are sometimes
challenged out of your comfort zone and to find a balance between doing things
your way and allowing other people to take the lead.”
- Think Tank 2017 group
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Feedback from Participants

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Lessons Learnt

32. • Additional mid-term campus visit
- improved quality of collaboration and results
- reduced academic coaches’ workload
• Clear goals for each phase and adjusted overall timeline
• Coaching: giving students freedom, managing conflicts, motivating students on
permanent basis, way of consulting other students and team,…
• Consistency team of coaches
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Lessons Learnt

33. More information
www.kuleuven.be/english/international/thinktank/index
www0.sun.ac.za/international/current-
students/international-opportunities-for-su-students/think-
tank.html