Lowering barriers
Fourth year student Josh Doromal developed a digital platform that allows users not only to reserve the OBA Next Lab space, but also to explain what kind of event or activity they want to organise. “It’s more than just a booking system,” Josh explains. “The platform provides information about the OBA Next Lab and shows what’s possible there. It also serves as a space where people can connect, exchange ideas, and get inspired.” Josh’s goal is to lower the threshold for use and make it easier to bring the lab to life.

The platform is currently in a testing phase. Users who make a reservation now are asked to provide feedback, which Josh is using to improve the system. In the coming months, the platform will be optimized so it can function independently, allowing users to organise events without staff involvement.

Visualising with AI
Along with five fellow second year students, Given Klemann is working on an innovative book club concept. “We want to start a book club in the OBA Next Lab where AI plays a role in how people perceive a story,” Given says. “For example, you read a page from a book, and then our AI tool helps you visualize how you imagine the characters. You then compare that with others and discuss why your interpretations differ. That leads to some really interesting conversations.”

Their AI generator is still in development, but on April 23 they will test the first prototype during a co-creation session. Participants will read a page from a book, describe how they envision the story, and see a visual representation of that interpretation. These images will then be used to spark discussion within the group. According to Given, it’s a playful and low-key way to reflect on literature and share different perspectives.

Connecting with the city
Laura Brongers, one of the OBA Next Lab’s coordinators, says these are exactly the types of projects the lab was meant for. “We don’t just want the OBA Next Lab to be a space for activities, but a real third space – a place that people see as their own and can help shape,” she explains. “We can think up all kinds of ideas, but it’s much more powerful when people come up with things they care about. These student projects really help us make that happen.”

With their book club concept, the students are not only exploring ways to make reading more appealing, but also how AI can be used to create deeper connections between readers. Laura: “It’s great to see students thinking creatively about the library of the future. They’re helping us innovate and build stronger ties with the city. And the same goes for Josh’s platform: it helps to increase the visibility and use of the OBA Next Lab – by students, staff, and Amsterdam residents alike.”

The Leisure & Tourism Lab (ULTL), with locations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, has been accepted as a member of the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). This makes them the first lab focused on tourism and leisure to be admitted to this network, a remarkable achievement! ENoLL is the international, non-profit, independent association of benchmarked Living Labs. Their objective is to foster the global development of Living Labs as open innovation ecosystems based on co-creation and cross border & cross-sectoral collaboration. In their assessment of the ULTL, ENoLL says: “ULTL shows a strong and inclusive governance model, engaging a wide range of stakeholders effectively. Also, a solid track record in running living lab projects, with a focus on urban leisure and tourism is presented and it demonstrates as well a clear interest in regional and international innovation. Their considerable experience in living lab operations is supported by compelling proof.

Peggy van Schijndel, managing director of the Creative Business Research Center: “This accreditation by ENoLL is a wonderful recognition and appreciation by external partners and experts for the way of working we have built up over the years: not just doing quick research, but making long-term contributions to an area and an issue. Not thinking in quick fixes for complex problems, but developing interventions that increase the involvement of all stakeholders and their understanding of the complexity. This is also how we learn about methods of co-creation and participation. Last week, two more groups of young professionals started in these labs, bringing in knowledge from their discipline, from experience in the field, from their personal experience as visitors or tourists - and very valuable: often also local knowledge as residents.”

DigiQuest is organized by Inholland University of Applied Sciences and IBCOL. The student-focused event is scheduled for November 17 at the NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. In this impact-driven gathering, students and professionals will explore together how developments such as blockchain, AI, and big data can contribute to solving the big challenges society is facing today.

Blockchain Olympiad
In 2020, Inholland University of Applied Sciences participated for the first time in the International Blockchain Olympiad, an annual competition for students. Participants are challenged to solve social issues using emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Inholland came in third that year. That stage award in the prestigious competition got attention and sparked conversation. This is how the idea was born to bring the Olympiad to Amsterdam.

Project leader Richard John: "We were keen to collaborate with the Olympiad to find even more creative answers to the big problems we face today. It was our wish to set up a bigger event around the Olympiad. We are proud that this year's Olympiad is taking place in Europe for the first time, having previously been held in Hong Kong, Canada, and Bangladesh, among others. On November 17, students and partners will immerse themselves in the Nemo Science Museum, Amsterdam, to learn how you can use technology to influence the future."

Leap forward
Initiator Peggy van Schijndel: "Beyond just showcasing the role technology can play in social innovation, the initiative is focused on making a tangible contribution to society. This is achieved by having students work on real social challenges presented by our partner organisations, including companies like Deloitte, The Next Web, and OpenAI, as well as non-profit organisations like Oxfam Novib and The Rainforest Alliance. They will pitch diverse challenges during various workshops that will be taken up by students. We are in an important phase of technical development and innovation. It is a leap forward that also makes us face new challenges, for example, in the areas of rights, inclusion, privacy, and data ownership. These issues will all be addressed."

During the event, there will be panel discussions and active workshops, for example, on education for Generation Z and the societal side of this development, such as privacy and human rights. Richard: "Digital space is going to play an important role in education. That's why Inholland already wants to embed it as much as possible in tuition. It is very nice that we can explore this development together with so many partners from the field. The international aspect of the event, with participation from students around the world, adds a valuable global perspective to the discussions. It's fascinating to hear how students from different cultural backgrounds perceive and adapt to these digital advancements.”

Intersection between technology and society
Peggy: "DigiQuest is open to anyone who recognizes the importance of incorporating technology to address significant societal challenges. While the event welcomes participants with technical expertise, it particularly emphasizes the inclusion of students from a variety of fields, such as Creative Business, innovation, care and welfare. They may have less knowledge of technology, but they are aware of the social issues at stake. It's really about that intersection between these technical developments and pressing issues."

The event thus targets a wide audience, including students from other educational institutions who are participating in the Olympiad. The municipality of Amsterdam will issue a challenge for secondary school students. They will investigate how technology can be used to solve a typical urban issue. "That way, there is something for everyone," Richard says. "For a start, it's a great opportunity for our students to get to know the business community and future employers. Furthermore, during DigiQuest you will learn how to use AI and blockchain for your own future, both professionally and personally. And finally, it's just a fun day where you meet students from all over the world and have free access to Nemo."

Learn more and register now!

Just like last summer, several Inholland locations will close their doors for a few weeks because relatively few colleagues will be working during the summer holiday. To ensure that colleagues and students in the north and south have a place to work and study, the locations The Hague and Haarlem will remain open. However, there are adjusted opening hours at these locations during the summer holiday.

Summer holiday north region: 22 July - 3 September
Summer holiday central region: 8 July - 20 August

Closing weeks per location 2023:

Delft: week 30, 31, 32 (24 July through 13 August)
Dordrecht: week 30, 31, 32, 33 (24 July through 20 August)
Rotterdam: week 30, 31, 32 (24 July through 13 August)

Inholland The Hague will remain open, with adjusted opening hours in week 29 to week 32 (8.00 - 16.00) and week 33 (7.30 - 18.30).

Amsterdam OZW: week 30, 31, 32 (24 July - 13 August)
Alkmaar: week 30, 31, 32 (idem)
Diemen: week 30, 31, 32 (idem)

Inholland Haarlem will remain open with adjusted opening hours of 8.00 - 17.00.

You can find the current opening hours on Iris.