Studying Creativity in the 21st Century at The Edward de Bono Institute
摘要
The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation was set up at the University of Malta, in collaboration with the late Dr. Edward de Bono, in October 1992. Initially, the focus was on creativity and idea generation, mainly based on the frameworks of Dr. de Bono. Over the years, the Institute has developed and today the programs which the Institute offers focus on Creativity, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Foresight, and Critical Thinking. This chapter focuses on the Master in Creativity and Innovation M.CI (Melit.), offered by the Institute, a program that typically attracts around twenty-five students each academic year. This unique and interdisciplinary Master program comprises sound theoretical foundations and practical elements. Student creativity is promoted in various ways, from explicit theory to practical methods introducing students to a multitude of creative thinking methods. The course offers the opportunity for students to meet real-world entities and apply the concepts learned in a classroom setting to a corporate or other organizational setting. The other core subjects addressed on the Master program include critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, and foresight. The Institute’s initiatives also include a Diploma in Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship and a Ph.D. program. It is also involved in various local, European, and global initiatives. An underlying focus which runs through all the programs and activities organized by the Institute is a strong belief in the development of creativity as a 21st-century skill. This involves collaboration with different institutions globally and a strong belief that creativity is a skill involving a deliberate process that can be learned and developed.