A multidisciplinary UX/UI designer
Minerva University
University project in partnership with Minerva University
Duration
3 months
Innovation Strategy
Team
2 Designers
Client
Minerva University
Goal
Design a framework that not only supports academic excellence and institutional growth but also empowers staff and students to actively participate in innovation.
Overview
This project captures the strategic process used to explore how Minerva University could embed innovation more deeply across its academic and institutional model.
Focused on identifying meaningful opportunities for change, the goal was to design an innovation strategy grounded in real-world challenges and stakeholder insights. Through extensive research, environmental analysis, and engagement with staff and students, the project outlined clear, actionable steps that support Minerva’s long-term vision, from idea generation and leadership structures to implementation and outcome measurement.
Process
Step 1. Context & foundations
The project began by aligning with Minerva’s mission, vision, and values, establishing a purpose-led direction for innovation within the university.
Step 2. Research
An in-depth PESTEL analysis was conducted to assess macro-environmental factors influencing higher education. This was followed by an Innovation Survey, employee interviews, and student feedback analysis, providing qualitative and quantitative insights into existing perceptions, challenges, and opportunities across the institution.
3. Strategic framing
Drawing on research findings, a Problem Statement was defined to clarify the core challenge. A set of Ambitions & Goals was then developed to guide innovation efforts, alongside proposed areas for innovation that aligned with both institutional priorities and user needs.
4. Designing the Innovation Model
An Innovative Academic Model was introduced, along with supporting systems such as an Idea Capture Framework, Implementation Framework, and recommendations around Innovation Leadership to embed new practices sustainably across the university.
5. Future-focused initiatives
Key outcome-driven initiatives were defined, including a focus on successful postgraduate outcomes, a global rotation program, and mechanisms for measuring success over time.
6. Strategy Tools & Execution
To support execution, the strategy included a Portfolio Investment Ratio (to balance short- and long-term innovation), a detailed Strategy Roadmap, and Budget considerations for implementation planning.
Conclusions
This innovation strategy was developed in response to both internal ambitions and external forces shaping the future of higher education. Through research, environmental scanning, and stakeholder engagement, the project identified key opportunities for Minerva University to strengthen its innovation capacity at all levels of the institution.
This strategy produced key outcomes across areas such as leadership, student experience, academic delivery, and operational frameworks. Insight-driven inputs from employees, students, and global education trends shaped a focused approach to innovation that aligns with Minerva’s mission and values.
By embracing innovation as a core value and actively supporting it through structures, systems, and leadership, Minerva is well-positioned to not only adapt to global change, but to lead it. The strategy offers both vision and action, ensuring long-term impact for students, staff, and the global education community.