Multi-Competence Learning (MCL)
What is MCL?
Multi-Competence Learning (MCL) is a challenge-based learning program where multidisciplinary teams tackle real-life challenges provided by external partners. Industry reps and experts help students gain insights, while mentoring ensures innovative solutions. The program broadens student thinking and know-how in geographical and sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and geospatial-ICT.Multi-Competence Learning (MCL) is a challenge-based learning program where multidisciplinary teams tackle real-life challenges provided by external partners. Industry reps and experts help students gain insights, while mentoring ensures innovative solutions. The program broadens student thinking and know-how in geographical and sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and geospatial-ICT.
4 Core MCL Competences
- Environmental awareness
- Geospatial tech familiarity
- Spatiotemporal problem solving
- Business knowledge and innovativeness
Problem Domain Skills in Space and Time
Students are equipped with problem-solving skills that are relevant in solving real and complex spatiotemporal problems of the surrounding society and in relation to the challenges presented to them.
Geospatial Data and Technology Skills
Students are able to use digital geospatial data and open-source geo-ICT technologies in a novel, practical, and need-based manner.
Climate, sustainability and resilience skills
Students are able to design climate-smart and resource-efficient solutions for social, environmental, and economic sustainability and improved resilience.
Innovation and Entrepreneurial Skills
Students gain confidence to execute innovative and out-of-the-box solutions with an entrepreneurial attitude and the 21st-century skills in the front line: creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Why does MCL exist?
Multi-Competence Learning (MCL) is a challenge-based learning program where multidisciplinary teams tackle real-life challenges provided by external partners. Industry reps and experts help students gain insights, while mentoring ensures innovative solutions. The program broadens student thinking and know-how in geographical and sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and geospatial-ICT.Multi-Competence Learning (MCL) is a challenge-based learning program where multidisciplinary teams tackle real-life challenges provided by external partners. Industry reps and experts help students gain insights, while mentoring ensures innovative solutions. The program broadens student thinking and know-how in geographical and sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and geospatial-ICT.
MCL 2022 Executions
Umbrella Challenge
In each MCL program, participating higher education institutes define a regional socio-ecological challenge known as the Umbrella Challenge.
The Umbrella Challenge is a real-life, locally specific environmental and societal issue linked to sustainable development and climate concerns. Student teams within the program identify smaller, Actionable Problems related to the Umbrella Challenge and collaboratively apply geospatial and ICT methods to address them in multidisciplinary groups and build feasible Solutions for the problem.
Examples of Tanzanian Umbrella Challenges
- Poor Availability and Accessibility of Water and Sanitation Services in Dar es Salaam
- Forest Loss and Degradation at Kilimanjaro Mountain
- Urban Ecology Management and Its Implications on Climate Change Resilience
- Poor Solid Waste Management in Dar es Salaam
- Competing Coastal Livelihoods in Zanzibar
Pictures from Tanzanian MCL Campaigns
