In September 2009 the Design Faculty at OCAD University inaugurated a new and exciting Master of Design (MDes) program in Strategic Foresight & Innovation. The program initially will be on a part-time basis with a first cohort of 21 students. The program is focused on graduating “change leaders” and uses an interesting multidisciplinary approach not only in its content design but also in the selection of candidates for the program and in the delivery of learning experiences using more than one instructor in the classroom whenever possible.
OCAD Main Building at 100 McCaul St.
As part of a newly developed course on “Business Model & Policy Innovation” graduate students self-organized in small groups and selected organizations with innovative business models to investigate over the summer semester. Organizations studied include Bullfrog Power, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Artscape, Pollution Probe, Zero Footprint, The Stop and Acumen Fund. The investigation looked at the current business model, alternative models, external factors impacting the organization, in particular policy and regulatory issues. Each group produces a strategic report documenting their work and findings.
The final reports will be presented and defended in two public critique sessions on Friday August 13 and 20 in the presence of OCAD faculty and some representatives from the organizations selected. If you are interested to attend, send an email to nharfoush [at] faculty.ocad.ca for details of the events.
Tags: business model, change maker, collaboration, Government 2.0, innovation, OCAD, policy, SFI