Traditional university structures often separate disciplines, limiting opportunities for students to develop the cross-sector skills employers demand. As industries become more interconnected, higher education must evolve to prepare graduates for collaborative, real-world problem-solving. Co-creation – where students, alumni and academics work together to develop educational tools – offers a powerful way to enrich learning, enhance employability and foster deeper engagement. At our institution, the Manage It. initiative shows how co-creation can transform teaching and learning, particularly in project management education.
The Manage It. Project: A Cross-Divisional Collaboration
Manage It. is an innovative student-led project that unites MSc Project Management (Engineering) students with BSc Web & Mobile Development (Computing) students to design a comprehensive project management simulation tool. Alumni and faculty also play a crucial role, offering mentorship, feedback and domain expertise. The result is a unique collaboration producing a resource tailored to real-world project environments and fit for the purposes of higher education, providing a rich learning experience for all participants.
Simulations are crucial for developing strategic thinking, leadership ability and problem-solving skills, according to research from the Project Management Institute. By simulating the unpredictable nature of real-world projects, students can test and refine their decision-making in a safe environment. Manage It. is a simulation developed by students, for students. As one student participant in the Manage It. research focus groups put it: “I had a chance to experience a project simulation and to further contribute with my ideas during a focus group. I felt like my voice mattered.”
This sentiment sums up the core advantage of co-creation: students are not merely passive recipients of knowledge, but active stakeholders shaping the direction of their education.
Collaborative skill-building
Engaging in the Manage It. initiative allows students from diverse backgrounds to work together on a shared goal. MSc Project Management students practise leadership, coordination and risk analysis, while BSc Web & Mobile Development students apply user interface design, coding and systems testing. Alumni, many of whom have returned to mentor current students, strengthen their own leadership, research and professional skills in the process.
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Sashika, an alumna involved in the team, reflects: “Participating in this initiative allowed me to mentor students while refining my own leadership and project management skills.”
Interdisciplinary teamwork
Traditionally, university divisions are known to function in isolation, yet the real world rarely respects these silos. In Manage It., engineers and computing specialists must communicate, negotiate and manage interdependent tasks – a process that mirrors workplace realities. Such teamwork fosters crucial soft skills such as conflict resolution, empathy and adaptability. It also replicates the diverse skill sets found in professional project teams, reinforcing how different specialities can collectively drive a project’s success.
The experience also shows students what “cross-disciplinary” means in practice. Web developers must learn how a project manager thinks to build user-friendly software; project managers must understand coding workflows to set realistic timelines. In bridging these gaps, participants gain respect for each other’s expertise, paving the way for more cooperative and productive collaborations in their future careers.
Engagement with alumni and faculty
Co-creation thrives when learners can tap into the wealth of experience and networks that alumni and faculty bring. Graduates returning to mentor or consult on the Manage It. tool highlight how valuable it is for recent cohorts to hear “war stories” or real-life lessons from industry.
Meanwhile, faculty members, serving as facilitators rather than traditional lecturers, benefit from fresh insights and ideas that can invigorate their own teaching methods. The cycle of mutual learning, from senior-level guidance to grassroots innovation, ensures that the tool remains relevant and academically sound.
Practical Insights for Implementation
Embed co-creation in the curriculum
Universities looking to replicate this model should make co-creation projects a formal part of their modules, with clear assessment criteria and milestones. This reinforces the legitimacy of collaborative learning and ensures consistent support from faculty and administrators.
Offer mentorship and support networks
Bringing alumni on board as mentors or sponsors can galvanise student interest and provide a valuable external perspective. Faculty should also be prepared to step into a guidance role rather than a strictly didactic one, offering resources and expertise while leaving space for student-led innovation.
Showcase cross-disciplinary benefits
Highlight to students how a diverse project team mirrors professional settings. Use real-world examples to demonstrate the advantages of combining skill sets, whether that involves bridging engineering and computing, or other divisions entirely.
Prioritise experiential learning tools
Simulations can help learners apply theoretical frameworks in a controlled environment, bridging the gap between academia and industry. Include facilitation notes and instructions so that educators can run sessions smoothly, ensuring consistent quality and pedagogical rigour.
Looking ahead
As demand grows for graduates capable of navigating complex, technology-driven workplaces, co-creation provides a dynamic avenue for universities to stay ahead. Initiatives such as Manage It. exemplify how project management education can be enhanced through collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches, producing tools that benefit both current students and future cohorts. The shared sense of purpose – whether among undergraduates, postgraduates, alumni or academics – instils a culture of continuous learning, creativity and engagement.
Higher education institutions have much to gain from adopting co-creation as a staple of their pedagogical repertoire. Beyond equipping students with practical skills, these projects foster a culture of partnership, resilience and adaptability that will serve graduates long after they leave the classroom. Through continued innovation and collaboration, universities can shape not just the next wave of project managers, but also a generation of thinkers, leaders and collaborators ready for the challenges of the modern world.
Ralitsa Arnaudova is lecturer in project management and Pablo Salva is lecturer in the computing division, both at the School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland.
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