Redefining the Classroom
Redefining the Classroom
Creating Positive Societal Impact
There is more to innovation than building high-tech stuff. At ErasmusX, we also aim to innovate education through multidisciplinary collaboration with society. In fact, we are very much encouraged to do so as ‘Creating Positive Societal Impact‘ is the Erasmus University’s motto. The university is keen on bringing the knowledge and skills of EUR students and EUR academic staff closer to society. And that is where our project Redefining the Classroom comes in.
Creating Positive Societal Impact
There is more to innovation than building high-tech stuff. At ErasmusX, we also aim to innovate education through multidisciplinary collaboration with society. In fact, we are very much encouraged to do so as ‘Creating Positive Societal Impact‘ is the Erasmus University’s motto. The university is keen on bringing the knowledge and skills of EUR students and EUR academic staff closer to society. And that is where our project Redefining the Classroom comes in.
What is ‘Redefining the Classroom’?
Redefining the Classroom is a unique initiative by ErasmusX. The name of the project illustrates that a university classroom shouldn’t be confined to its literal walls and theoretical knowledge, but should also give space to real-life experience and getting your hands dirty. In fact, we believe it should be situated in the midst of society. Literally.
What is ‘Redefining the Classroom’?
Redefining the Classroom is a unique initiative by ErasmusX. The name of the project illustrates that a university classroom shouldn’t be confined to its literal walls and theoretical knowledge, but should also give space to real-life experience and getting your hands dirty. In fact, we believe it should be situated in the midst of society. Literally.
Say hello to HefHouse 👋
It is thanks to the efforts of the Municipality of Rotterdam that we have a location where our ideas and plans can take shape. We dubbed this location ‘HefHouse’, as it is located right next to the historical Hef bridge and its adorable Hefpark in the Feijenoord neighborhood (South of Rotterdam).
At HefHouse, ErasmusX operates together with the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, represented by EMI op Zuid, and the Municipality of Rotterdam. All parties share the ambition to create a meeting place for young people from the neighborhood and students from our educational institutions. The goal is to build a community where the focus lies on social interaction between different groups of young people in the South of Rotterdam, and where there is room for talent development, entrepreneurship and education. The ultimate goal is to help decrease educational and social inequality.
Say hello to HefHouse 👋
It is thanks to the efforts of the Municipality of Rotterdam that we have a location where our ideas and plans can take shape. We dubbed this location ‘HefHouse’, as it is located right next to the historical Hef bridge and its adorable Hefpark in the Feijenoord neighborhood (South of Rotterdam).
At HefHouse, ErasmusX operates together with the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, represented by EMI op Zuid, and the Municipality of Rotterdam. All parties share the ambition to create a meeting place for young people from the neighborhood and students from our educational institutions. The goal is to build a community where the focus lies on social interaction between different groups of young people in the South of Rotterdam, and where there is room for talent development, entrepreneurship and education. The ultimate goal is to help decrease educational and social inequality.
A project still very much in its infancy 👶
Unlike some of our other projects, we have only just set foot in the area and started talks with societal organizations that are knowledgeable about the needs of the people who live there, and especially the young people. In the upcoming months, for example, the organization SOL (Samen Ondernemend Leren) will establish a youth hub in the building which will enable all parties to start up even more collaborative activities.
A project still very much in its infancy 👶
Unlike some of our other projects, we have only just set foot in the area and started talks with societal organizations that are knowledgeable about the needs of the people who live there, and especially the young people. In the upcoming months, for example, the organization SOL (Samen Ondernemend Leren) will establish a youth hub in the building which will enable all parties to start up even more collaborative activities.
Examples of things we’ve done
We held a Pop-Up City Lab in collaboration with UNIC, namely ‘Politics and the City’ where a very diverse group of 45 participants discussed the reasons why young people are more reluctant to vote.
The UNIC Pop-Up City Lab on June 22, 2022
On another occasion, we hosted 40 Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences students who are doing a health scan of the area around HefHouse to come up with possible interventions.
In December 2022, as part of getting to know the community around the HefHouse and initiating a collaboration with SOL, ErasmusX team-members Fanny, Aki and Frieda facilitated a workshop for 14 kids on the Noordereiland. Thanks also to the support of the SOL staff; Olive Wambui, Kevser Andac (intern) and volunteer Sezen. The kids created a Christmas card with a little light in it.
Workshop together with SOL on December 20, 2022
Examples of things we’ve done
We held a Pop-Up City Lab in collaboration with UNIC, namely ‘Politics and the City’ where a very diverse group of 45 participants discussed the reasons why young people are more reluctant to vote.
The UNIC Pop-Up City Lab on June 22, 2022
On another occasion, we hosted 40 Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences students who are doing a health scan of the area around HefHouse to come up with possible interventions.
In December 2022, as part of getting to know the community around the HefHouse and initiating a collaboration with SOL, ErasmusX team-members Fanny, Aki and Frieda facilitated a workshop for 14 kids on the Noordereiland. Thanks also to the support of the SOL staff; Olive Wambui, Kevser Andac (intern) and volunteer Sezen. The kids created a Christmas card with a little light in it.
Workshop together with SOL on December 20, 2022
Let’s do something together!
We are open to hearing about your ideas, projects, initiatives, etc. So, if you’d like to join forces, please send our lovely colleague (and project leader) Frieda Franke an email: franke@eur.nl.
Our HefHouse location is open to all, we can’t wait to see what we can do together!
The HefHouse: Nassaukade 31, 3071JL, Rotterdam
Let’s do something together!
We are open to hearing about your ideas, projects, initiatives, etc. So, if you’d like to join forces, please send our lovely colleague (and project leader) Frieda Franke an email: franke@eur.nl.
Our HefHouse location is open to all, we can’t wait to see what we can do together!
The HefHouse: Nassaukade 31, 3071JL, Rotterdam