SFD Releases Five PBL Challenge Projects at the 6th China Education Innovation Expo

From November 18th to 21st, 2023, the 6th China Education Innovation Expo was held in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Hosted by Beijing Normal University, this Education Innovation Expo brought together over 1,800 national educational innovation achievements, more than 100 high-level forums, and over 900 interactive workshops. Over 10,000 experts, scholars, and educational professionals attended this high-level educational event. As an important part of the Expo, the "Exploring the Past and Discovering the Future - 2023 Future Design Education Forum" and the Design Education Achievement Exhibition, hosted by Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, were simultaneously held.

The forum explored how design could support the globalization and future development of Chinese culture and in the era of the rapid acceleration of the new technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence. The forum invited distinguished guests, including Zhao Shaohua, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Tan Ping, Director of the Academic Committee of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, former Vice President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Deputy Dean of the Chinese Academy of Art, Jiang Ying, Vice Principal of the Forbidden City School, Bekboev Daniiar, representative of Kyrgyzstan universities, Li Congrong, one of the initiators of the "Belt and Road" Young Designers Exchange Program, Zhao Kuo, Associate Professor of the School of Intelligent Science and Engineering at Jinan University, and other professionals from the cultural and academic circles. They exchanged ideas and shared insights on the role of design in empowering traditional culture. The forum was hosted by Gao Peng, the Dean of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design.

The forum was hosted by Gao Peng, the Dean of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design.

Zhao Shaohua, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, praised the remarkable achievements of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design since its establishment, stating that its interdisciplinary and cutting-edge teaching philosophy deserves encouragement and support, making it an important practitioner in future design education. He also encouraged future designers to have confidence and self-strengthening in culture, and to learn and absorb the outstanding achievements of all human civilizations.

Zhao Shaohua, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, delivers the keynote speech.+

Sun Hongpei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Beijing Normal University, stated in his speech at the forum that Beijing Normal University School of Future Design is based in Zhuhai, serving local economic and social development. Through various measures, it promotes the integration of the design industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and facilitates the sharing of artistic educational resources and talent development between basic education and higher education. The Academy has built an international cross-disciplinary cooperation platform and conducted extensive exchanges and collaborations, promoting mutual learning and mutual inspiration between Chinese and foreign cultures.

Sun Hongpei, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Beijing Normal University, delivers a speech.

Tan Ping, Director of the Academic Committee of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, stated that education is about human growth, and it is a long-term and future-oriented matter. School of Future Design is rooted in the intersection of art, design, technology, and education, allowing students to see the world from multiple perspectives through multidisciplinary learnings.

Tan Ping, Director of the Academic Committee of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, delivers the keynote speech.

On the morning of November 19th, Zhao Kuo, Associate Professor of the School of Intelligent Science and Engineering at Jinan University, Li Hongxing, Operation Director of Digital Life (Hengqin), Gong Jiawei, Su Lei, Li Wei, and Liu Yaming, teachers from the "Art and Technology" Laboratory of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, gave presentations at the forum and engaged in a dialogue with the Dean Gao Peng. The forum was moderated by Zhou Tiange, head of the laboratory.

During the forum, Beijing Normal University School of Future Design officially released the PBL challenge teaching projects for the 2023-2024 academic year, illustrating how the academy tells the story of China and spreads the voice of China in design education through real-world examples.

The PBL model (Project-Based Learning) is the distinctive teaching model of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design. It focuses on students, starting with various issues in professional fields and encouraging students to seek solutions to real-world problems. Every October, the School of Future Design officially releases the PBL challenge projects, and the faculty and students across the academy can sign up, form teams freely, and deliver design outcomes in April of the following year. With a focus on problem-solving, abilities, and objectives, this model promotes collaboration between teachers and students across different disciplines, enabling practical project operations and further advancing the integration of industry and education.

The Forbidden City Children's Guidebook Development Project

Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, in collaboration with the Forbidden City School, has initiated a project to develop a children's guidebook focusing on the architecture of the Forbidden City. Through various design presentations, this project allows children of all age groups to learn about the Forbidden City from different perspectives.

The Forbidden City Color (Pattern) System Research Project

Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, in collaboration with the Publishing House of the Forbidden City, is working on the research project of the color (pattern) system of the Forbidden City. This project aims to facilitate the academic sorting and practical application of the cultural heritage of the Forbidden City in the contemporary education system.

"Belt and Road" National Design Going Global Project

Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Center for Youth Design Thinking Innovation Development, has launched the "Belt and Road" national design going global project. This project provides a platform for young designers to exchange and cooperate, promoting a deep understanding between cultures.

Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square D/BAY Venue Smart Service System Design Project

Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, in collaboration with China Resources Land, has launched the design project of a smart service system for the D/BAY venue at the Shenzhen Bay Cultural Square. Using the practice-teaching model of "integration of industry and education with creativity", this project aims to cultivate outstanding innovative service design talents for future service design industries, contributing to the development of smart city.

Chazence Product and New Material R&D Design Project

Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, in collaboration with the Macao Innovative Environmental Material R&D brand "Chazence", has launched the Chazence product and new material R&D design project. This project explores a variety of possibilities in technological innovation, product innovation, and business model innovation.

During the Education Expo, Beijing Normal University School of Future Design held a Design Education Achievement Exhibition. The exhibition focuses on the future direction of education development, discusses the design of art education curriculum, studies the laws of education, designs educational scenarios, and displays the PBL major challenge teaching practice projects that have been completed for the 2022-2023 academic year.

It's worth noting that the "Design and Education" exhibition area displays the school’s comprehensive research on basic art education curriculum, teaching aids, art education guidebooks, campus environment creation, and campus teaching scenarios. It presents a multi-dimensional display of the school's systematic exploration path in promoting the development of design education.

Wang
Shoujun, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Beijing Normal University, served as a guide for the guests.

Gao Peng, Dean of Beijing Normal University School of Future Design, presented the outcomes of the PBL Major Challenge teaching practice to Zhou Wengang, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Education University of Hong Kong.

A glimpse of the Future Design Exhibition area at the 6th China Education Innovation Expo.