A new educational model, the commitment of the BSM for Fira Futura

• Since 2015, UPF Barcelona School of Management has been involved in a process of change, implementing a new educational model in response to its aim to transform higher education. It is a personalised project-focused learning model based on projects, mentoring and multidisciplinarity

UPF Barcelona School of Management has been involved in a process of change, implementing a new educational model in response to its aim to transform higher education. It is a personalised project-focused learning model based on an interdisciplinary, practical and collaborative focus that adapts to current professional needs and incorporates new educational methodologies.

The implementation of this educational offering began with 4 programs (103 students) and this year now includes 27 programs (476 students), 33% of our classroom-based programs. 'The student has become the driving force behind learning and works, participates, asks questions, collaborates as a team and organises him/herself to carry out his/her project and solve problems', Oriol Amat added. Lecturers have become mentors who guide and encourage students in their process of discovery and construction of knowledge around their project.

UPF Barcelona School of Management has looked at what universities such as Stanford in California, The Rotman School in Canada, Kaos Pilot in Denmark and The New School in New York are doing. 'They're all working with concepts such as personalisation, practical learning, mentoring and multidisciplinarity. These are far-reaching transformations that are increasingly present at all educational levels', Oriol Amat argues.

Innovative learning facilities

The change that UPF Barcelona School of Management has begun can also be seen in the school's premises in the Balmes building, at the corner of Balmes and Rosselló, right in the centre of Barcelona. Its teaching reform project has led it to rethink and reconceptualise the school's classrooms and physical facilities to adapt them to the new educational model. From converting the corridors into meeting places and the more traditional classrooms into experimentation classrooms, to creating large common areas and meeting places between the online and offline worlds. This is all designed to transform education into an active participation model, where practical learning and interaction between people take the leading role.

UPF Barcelona School of Management's model is structured as follows:

• Solving problems and real challenges as a trigger for learning
• The personal project as the backbone of learning
• They are backed up by mentors (projects) and coaches (professional competencies)
• Multidisciplinary and transversal focus (project management, narrative and communication-storytelling, evidence-based management and sustainable development)
• Active methodologies (flipped learning, problem-based learning, gamification, challenge-based learning)
• Multimodal environment: classroom-based, blended and online