"Trust in Science"

Trust in science is an important parameter for assessing the impact of science. Society and organizations become more and more data driven, but that is not necessarily the same as evidence based. In the post-Covid-19 era, in the days of generative AI and climate deniers one may lose confidence in what we used to call reality and truth.

Our trust in science used to be based on our hope and expectation that scientific research promises to make our lives healthier, longer, more interesting and therefore more pleasant. But what if academic outcomes are not taken that serious anymore and are merely considered as just opinions by a growing number of people.

Are you interested to work on this topic in one of the coolest cities in Europe and apply it on a practical case? Come and join students from different faculties of the University of Groningen and of Uppsala University (Sweden) as well as experienced international organisations from The Netherlands and Sweden.

GroUp 3.0

In this third edition of the Groningen Uppsala (GroUp) Challenge, Groningen students are invited to join students from Uppsala University in Sweden to solve a problem that is real and relevant and that needs to be approached in a multidisciplinary way. This time the Biotopia Museum in Uppsala will be provide a challenge with their mission to engage their visitors to act on climate change.

Curious to see an impression about last two years GroUp challenges?

See here aftermovies of 2021 and 2022: GroUp EHealth Challenge 2021 - YouTube and Outlook 2022: More student events coming up! Aftermovie GroUp 2022 and Students as a catalysator for innovation: GroUp ‘22’s team Nodes

Program (please check carefully that you can make it, when applying!)

This year’s program encompasses a preparatory digital and a physical part to ensure enough time to dive into the problem, develop solutions and network with your peers and the involved companies and organizations.

*Evenings are free to spend in Uppsala and Stockholm

Inspiration sessions

As preparation to the challenge, you will be invited to two 2 x 2 hours inspiration sessions on Tuesday 24th of October and Wednesday 1st of November. During the meetings, you will receive an introduction to the challenge and several inspiring presentations by organisations.

Here, you will also get to know your group for the first time and together dig into the problem of the challenge in the virtual game environment of Gathertown.

GroUp @The Embassy in Stockholm

7th of November you will meet your Swedish group mates for the first time in person in Uppsala, the next three days we will work at the Dutch Embassy in Stockholm, where you will be developing your idea into a concrete solution that could be implemented in practice.

In Stockholm, you will be welcomed by the ambassador of The Netherlands to Sweden, attend a joint reception and dinner and get introduced to key concepts of resilience and career success.

Workshops, mentoring and pitches

Throughout the days, you will also be engaged in several workshops to support your team in developing viable plans and receive mentoring to ensure that your solution has the potential to be applied in practice.

On the last day, every team will pitch their solutions in front of a handpicked jury.

The team that develops the best solution will receive a price and have laid the corner stone for a solution that potentially will help the world of Science across The Netherlands, Sweden and Europe!

Who can take part? 

All undergraduate students in their final year of study and masters students from a degree program from Groningen can apply for this challenge.

No deep prior knowledge is required. Bringing a fresh mind and a good motivation for the topic is all you need.

How many students will be selected?

For this challenge, 12 Groningen students from different disciplines and programs will be selected.

We expect participation to be popular for this challenge. As places are limited to 12 spots for each university, early applications are encouraged. 

Why participate?

• • Help to solve a real-life problem
  • Network with like-minded peers and interesting companies
  • Develop design-thinking, challenge-based learning and multi-disciplinary team work skills that make you attractive for future employers
  • Get inspired by interesting presentations
  • Get a GroUp participation certificate that boosts your CV
  • Visit Uppsal and explore Stockholm – The Impact capital of the world

Location: Götgatan 16A, 118 46 Stockholm, Sweden, Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in Stockholm

Accomodation: In Uppsala you will be accomodated in a hostel near the university, in Stockholm we will sleap on a boat, Hotel Rygerfjord, Söder Mälarstrand, Kajplats 13, 118 25 Stockholm, Sweden

Cost: 100 Euros per student (Including accommodation, flight, transport in Stockholm and several meals)

How do I apply? Your application including a well written, short motivation can be sent to gdbc rug.nl  

Registrations are welcome until Sunday 1 October, 23.59 hours. Confirmation follows ultimately in a week.