Student feedback from the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability class of 2022/23:
91% of survey respondents agreed/strongly agreed that the Programme's overall quality was excellent
92% of survey respondents agreed/strongly agreed that the Programme activities fit how they like to learn. Most students agreed/strongly agreed that they developed knowledge and competencies from the Programme (92%) and that they are meaningful and important (100%)
Students agreed/strongly agreed that the facilitators worked hard to make their studies interesting (91.7%), motivated them to do their best (91.7%), were extremely good at explaining things (91.7%), and made a real effort to understand difficulties students might be having with their work (100%).
93.3% of survey respondents found that the Programme has helped them to develop a sustainability mindset and literacy. The mindset transformation is manifested in students' (1) adoption of system thinking, (3) more biased to acting, (4) confidence and responsibility to address sustainability challenges;
84% said the Programme has significantly developed their ability and confidence to communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and within multi-disciplinary teams.
92% are more proficient and confident with applying creative thinking and tolerating differences in real-life problem-solving, thanks to the Programme.
About 84% are more knowledgeable and confident with leading changes to address sustainability challenges
94% of survey respondents improved their mastery and gained confidence in using Design Thinking to solve sustainability challenges in the future.
About 90% of respondents found that the Programme has been helpful to their career progression. 8.33% applied their learnings from the Programme to personal life or professional career daily, while 58.33% applied their learnings weekly.
Following the Programme, 42% of the surveyed graduates are employed, either gained a new full-time job (17%) or remaining in the same position (25%). 8% decided to Pursue further education or training.
Below are some testimonials from our Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability.
"This course was life changing for me. I was a change maker before doing small things when it comes to sustainability but this course has given me the connections and the skills to do bigger things and have the impact I want." Ciara O'Flaherty, 2023 Graduate
"It was a fantastic experience. I came into this course feeling a bit lost, not quite sure what direction to go in but now I feel so confident going into a job in industry, in sustainability." Lucy Shah, 2023 Graduate
“It's fun, it's challenging and it got me out of my comfort zone, I've seen myself grow in many ways and I couldn't recommend the course more highly." Richie Denieffe, 2023 Graduate
“I highly recommend taking this course, no matter what background you come from, because we don't have a future if we don't make the world a more sustainable place. When you get here, the pedagogical approach is very different; stick with it, you'll love it. It will unfurl your creativity and allow you to develop design thinking and problem-solving skills that can be used in the context of sustainability and for many obstacles you may encounter in life.” Bláithín Gallagher, 2023 Graduate
"I learned skills I could bring to the table very quickly. Almost immediately after finishing this course I was awarded a contract that I would never have had the confidence to take up if I hadn’t done the course." Jean Cox Kearns, Chief Sustainability Officer for TES – Sustainable Technology Solutions, 2021 Graduate
“We proposed to our industry partner that they create an opening for a community liaison officer. They liked the idea and created the role. In fact, they offered me the position. I got to create the job and now I’m doing it.” Mae Ly Lim, 2021 Graduate
