Health Innovation
Designing the Future of Healthcare

The Health Innovation Designing the Future of Healthcare programme brings together international and students from different disciplines to collaboratively address real-world healthcare challenges through a human-centered and research-driven design approach. Guided by the Double Diamond framework and a regenerative thinking mindset, participants develop innovative, evidence-based solutions that respond to diverse user needs and complex healthcare systems. Through a blended learning experience, the programme fosters global awareness, teamwork, and practical innovation skills. 

The Health Innovation | Designing the Future of Healthcare programme is an international, multidisciplinary learning experience designed to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to tackle complex healthcare challenges. This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is a collaboration between NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (NHL Stenden), Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV). Bringing together participants from diverse academic backgrounds and cultural contexts, the programme fosters collaboration, creativity, and innovation in addressing real-life health issues that matter both locally and globally.

At the core of the programme lies a human-centered, research-driven approach to innovation. Students are guided by the Double Diamond framework (Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver) to explore healthcare problems in depth before designing solutions. This structured yet flexible process encourages participants to engage with users, understand healthcare systems, and generate insights that lead to meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

Throughout the programme, students conduct user- and context-informed research, analyse data, and translate their findings into evidence-based design solutions. Emphasis is placed on understanding cultural, ethical, and systemic factors that influence healthcare, ensuring that innovations are relevant, inclusive, and impactful across different settings.

Collaboration is a key component of the experience. Working in intercultural and multidisciplinary teams, students learn to integrate diverse perspectives, share knowledge, and co-create solutions. This not only enhances the quality of innovation but also prepares participants for real-world professional environments where teamwork across disciplines and cultures is essential.

The programme combines flexible online learning with an intensive in-person working week, creating a dynamic and immersive educational journey. This blended format allows students to build foundational knowledge, apply it in practice, and develop lasting professional networks.

By the end of the programme, participants are able to design and communicate innovative healthcare solutions, critically reflect on their process, and demonstrate a strong awareness of how local challenges connect to broader national and global healthcare systems.

By joining this programme, participants develop a stronger understanding of  the Healthcare system and Health Innovation. The programme supports participants in strengthening their designing and regenerative skills and mindset while contributing to innovation, research and development in health-related fields.

Through workshops and design-based research sessions, participants gain hands-on experience in healthcare practice and innovation processes. They reflect on ethical, social, intercultural and practical questions, enabling them to use innovation critically and effectively in healthcare settings, research, and development projects.

At the same time, participants contribute to creative, advancing innovation and inclusive healthcare solutions.