EIT Manufacturing Circular Economy Master Programme

The manufacturing sector faces a critical need for sustainable practices. UpThink Innovation Agency, sponsored by EIT Manufacturing in partnership with UCD, Mondragon, and Grenoble Universities, were selected to address a recognised gap in engineers' training on the Circular Economy. This program aimed to transition participants from traditional to circular manufacturing processes, focusing on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and innovation.

Engagement and Participation

In a four-week program, over 50+ engineers from diverse global engineering disciplines were immersed into forward-looking circular economy concepts.

Hands-on workshops and industry projects with partners such as P&G and Mondragon, enabled participants to tackle critical climate challenges. The hybrid format, combining online and in-person activities at UCD campus, promoted enriched learning and networking.

Key topics covered

• Circular Business Model Innovation
• Customer Discovery/UX Design
• Circular Design Thinking
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
• Data Design for Products and Services
• Competitor Analysis Through Design Thinking
• Stakeholders’ Analysis and Mapping
• Revenue and Funding Models
• Sustainable Leadership and Team Building
• Innovation and Business Creation Ecosystems
• Brand and Storytelling Through Circular Design Thinking

Outcomes

In the four-week program, over 50+ engineers from diverse global engineering disciplines were immersed into forward-looking circular economy concepts. 

Hands-on workshops and industry projects with partners such as P&G and Mondragon, enabled participants to tackle critical climate challenges. The hybrid format, combining online and in-person activities at UCD campus, promoted enriched learning and networking.

The Circular Economy Master School, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, offered engineers a comprehensive platform to gain essential knowledge and skills for driving sustainable change in manufacturing. Participants engaged in applied learning through practical workshops and industry engagements, emerging as catalysts for circular economy innovation.