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Design Thinking in Afrika Online Programme

Connecting African thinkers and building skills for the future.

The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT, in collaboration with Ashesi University (Ghana), KNUST (Ghana), American University in Cairo (Egypt), University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), invites students under 35 to apply for an engaging online Design Thinking programme.
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Trans-African Challenge:

Participate in a competitive challenge spanning the continent, addressing real-world problems.

Critical Thinking Advancement: 

Develop critical thinking skills crucial for tackling the challenges of today’s world.

Diverse Collaboration:

Work within diverse African teams, sharing knowledge and learning from key industry partners.

Building Capabilities With Design Thinking

Four Cs Development: Design thinking directly enhances Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration—essential skills recognised by the World Economic Forum.

Tacit Knowledge Cultivation: Recognising the importance of ‘tacit knowledge’ in the evolving job market, our programme focuses on building this key ingredient in potential employees.

Adapting to Change: The world is constantly changing, and the design thinking mindset equips participants to collaboratively navigate this exciting, yet turbulent, new terrain in human-centred and innovative ways.

Taking ownership of Design thinking Tools and Mindsets: The programme will empower students with tools and mindsets of a design-led practitioner. Students will be immersed into exploring and adopting the tools and mindsets to take ownership of through their journey.

Key Programme Benefits

  • Skills for the Future:
    Master the Four Cs — Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration—to prepare for the evolving working world.
  • Multi-disciplinary Teams: 
    Gain an introduction to working in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a holistic approach to problem-solving.
  • Creative Confidence: 
    Discover digital learning tools and build creative confidence to tackle challenges with innovative solutions.

Programme Requirements

  • Students from any registered higher education institution in South Africa, as well as from our partner universities across Africa, including Ashesi University (Ghana), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) (Ghana), American University in Cairo (Egypt), University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
  • Qualification Status:
    Final-year undergraduate students, current postgraduate students, or graduates from 2024 (either undergraduate or postgraduate).
  • Age Criteria: 
    Applicants must be aged between 18 and 35 years.

Applicants Are Expected To:

Commit:

Attend all six days of the programme.

Prepare:

Be prepared for 4-6 hours of asynchronous teamwork and preparation outside the programme’s online space.

Engage:

Attend d-scovery sessions and complete a feedback form after the programme.

Upcoming Course Dates

6 - 16 July 2026

Live Contact Days:

TBD

The remaining days are reserved for asynchronous team collaboration and preparation.

Application deadline:

26 June 2026

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