Winners for the University of the Future Challenge

We have challenged high school students to imagine the university of the future: what would it look like? Who would teach? What would they study? 

More than 200 high school students from over 60 cities from all over the country, Mediaș, Focșani, Tulcea, Arad, Pitești – just to name a few, coordinated by over 100 teachers took part in this challenge and expressed their vision through compelling essays or original videos.

Their ideas also reflect the educational needs of the current generations: more technology should be used to enhance learning, the curriculum should be tailored to each student’s needs and passions, assignments should be more practical and classes should encourage both personal and professional discoveries and tackle real-life problems. We were impressed by how many students asked the business community to be more involved in university projects and vice-versa. 

We are grateful to our partners for supporting this challenge: British Council and  Consiliul Municipal al Elevilor Bucuresti.

The jury has evaluated the written and video materials and announced the final winners for both categories. We want to thank Radu Atanasiu (Associate Dean for Academic Affairs BISM), Andrew Glass (Country Director British Council Romania), Monica Jitariuc (Communication consultant and Trainer), Florin Negruțiu (Journalist and founder Republica), Laura Lăzărescu (Managing Partner BISM), Ema Prisca (Independent Creative Director), Claudiu Butacu (Lecturer BISM and Cofounder EFdeN). We also want to thank to the members of Consiliul Municipal al Elevilor Bucuresti: Delia Glăvan, Anca Erimia, Mihnea David, Lucian Cismaru, Andreea Iorga. 

 

We also want to thank the coordinating teachers for supporting the high school students in this challenge. Special thanks goes to teacher Stănescu Adriana from Colegiul Național “Preparandia-Dimitrie Țichindeal” Arad, for inspiring the highest number of high school students to register.

These are the winning materials:

Written category

 

The winner of the first place: Andreea Maia Pora, Brasov

“From my perspective, I would define college as a rite of passage into one’s adult life, as well as a turning point, due to the fact that an individual’s whole future can be shaped by it. That is why I find it crucial that this sort of academic institution meets certain standards to make the whole ‘college experience’ as enjoyable as possible, additionally ensuring that students become prepared for what comes ahead.

An ‘ideal university’ would be different to some extent from the ones in today’s day and age. Firstly, each student would have a mentor. Instead of classes, the student would have to meet their mentor to learn the material and go over homework. From Monday through Friday, the mentor would give their student an assignment that they would have to complete by the end of the day. This adviser would be able to provide their students with hands-on experience that is necessary to better understand the lesson.

Secondly, students would be encouraged to socialize. Events would be organized frequently, such as concerts, dances, or charitable events, thus providing students with opportunities to meet each other.

 Moreover, the cost of universities would be greatly reduced, consequently encouraging students to attend college. In today’s world, getting a job is a key factor in a student’s decision to pursue higher education, as doing so is very costly.

 In a perfect world, shouldn’t the education system persuade students not only to care about acquiring a salary but also about becoming well-rounded individuals?”

 

The winner of the second place and of the British Council Prize: Alexia-Andreea Nan, Ploiești

“The university of the future for me would be an institution where everyone is safe and encouraged to speak their mind.  Blending traditional and non-traditional learning methods, this becoming the norm.  Where we will get scholarships and foundation for our studies and needs.  

The University of the Future will accept students who are involved in society, who want to change the world into a better place.  It will encourage and teach students skills that include critical thinking, collaboration, communication.  It will make students want more from themselves, being able to improve every day.  

Each student will have a more personalized learning experience based on their needs and future plans.  The University of the Future will collaborate with businesses, having internships.  In this way, students will learn how things work and be able to achieve what they really want.  

The university will also have programs where students can enjoy field trips and learn more about the environment.  This way, it will not only make them more relaxed, but also give them the peace they need, especially before difficult tests.  The teachers will always be there to help and guide them in the learning process.  They will be available should students have any concerns about the assignment they have been given.  

Finally, this university will promote acceptance and understanding among all students so that they will always help each other and consider themselves family.”

The British Council offered her a free English exam as a prize.

The winner of the third place: Mara Apostu-Boier -Brasov

“The perfect university for me would be one with a flexible program. It would have a really big campus, lots of buildings and anyone from outside the campus could come to visit.

Everyone would be able to choose what subjects to learn and if they want to excel in one, they can take as many classes as they want until they reach their educational goal. The teachers would be from all over the world and none of them would just teach and go home. All of them would have to interact with the students and make sure that they understood everything. 

They would also have a close bond with their students. Every student would have the option to choose whether to learn hard skills or soft skills.

 It would be a university in every major that you could possibly think of and you would not have to worry about your major not being at this university. There would also be classes dealing with real-life problems which anyone could participate in, such as “Basic first aid” or even “Managing Rent”.

There would be lots of projects available to students and quizzes relying on general knowledge from a wide variety of topics. The projects may include multiple subjects, such as creative writing, painting, mini-concerts and many other activities. Some contests could be related to traditional holidays in foreign countries or even your own country.

 The goal is for the students to be satisfied with their knowledge and with themselves after graduating college.”

 

Video category

The winner of the first place: Maria Raducanu – București

See video here.

The winner of the second place: Dara Andreea Georgescu – Bucuresti

See video here.

The winner of the third place: Maria Lazar – Slobozia

See video here.

 

Moreover, 30 students who had outstanding entries, have been invited to attend BISM Winter School for free. They have also been invited to a media literacy workshop offered by Monica Jitariuc, Communication Consultant and Trainer.

 

We want to thank all participating high school students and coordinating teachers for sharing with us their vision on the university of the future. We’ll take inspiration from your submission to shape our own undergraduate programs at Bucharest International School of Management.

 

We invite you to discover more events for highs school students here.