Within the framework of the activities of the Erasmus+ Project “Green Education in Higher Education in Asia” (GreenEdAsia), funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the Design-Based Education (DBE) teaching method is an advanced educational approach that combines creative design thinking, practical experience, and problem-solving skills in real business and social contexts. This learning model is highly valued and is being widely applied at Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland.
On November 19, 2025, Ms. Ulla-Maija Knuutti, lecturer at Hamk University of Applied Sciences (Finland), conducted an online training session on the standard DBE teaching method.
In addition to Hamk University of Applied Sciences, participating universities included Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE – Vietnam), Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT – Thailand), Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL – Thailand), and Dong Thap University (DThU – Vietnam).
Member universities attending the training session on the DBE teaching method
From the discussions during the training session, it can be seen that applying the DBE teaching method will generate many new and creative aspects in teaching activities, specifically:
• Design Thinking: DBE encourages learners to carry out a creative and iterative process, including problem identification, ideation, prototyping, testing, and evaluation.
• Practice-Oriented Learning: Learning content is designed to be closely connected with real challenges and contexts in business or society, helping learners develop creative and feasible solutions.
• Comprehensive Skills Development: The main goal of DBE is to train students who not only possess professional knowledge but are also proficient in essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity.
In addition, the DBE model significantly transforms traditional roles in the classroom:
For Learners: Shifting from a passive role to becoming active co-creators of content and knowledge. They design their own learning process under guidance.
For Lecturers: Shifting from being knowledge transmitters to becoming facilitators, mentors, and enablers of the learning process.