Research projects

From conversations with partners in the construction sector, it became evident that there is untapped potential for integrating STEM into the construction industry.                                                                                                                    

Schools are increasingly engaging in sustainable initiatives. To showcase these efforts and provide schools with guidance in navigating the multitude of sustainability aspects, the North-South department of Bruges aims to support them through the SDGeneration platform.           

A group of young people aged 14 and above will collaborate on spotlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an artistic-technological intervention in their city/town. A program will be established in collaboration with local youth organizations.                   

Many schools have the ambition to implement Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), or overarching eXtended Reality (XR) in their offerings. Especially for students for whom skill training is a core task, XR applications can add value.                                       

Research and Expertise Center Vital Cities identifies the principles of child and youth-friendly heritage through appreciative inquiry.                                                                                                                                                 

In this project, we will explore the potential of utilizing the River Leie as a heat source to efficiently and intelligently warm future buildings of Howest and the city of Kortrijk.                                                                                                  

XR Factor aims to survey Flemish secondary schools with dual finality and/or labor market finality that have diverse XR expertise. To obtain a comprehensive overview, we also engage in conversations with external stakeholders involved in XR implementations in schools.            

For cities, keeping the energy bill affordable is a challenge. Howest is assisting Kortrijk city in this regard. Through pilot projects in Kortrijk Weide and Transfo Zwevegem, the Smart Technology Energy lab is developing a data architecture for smart control of energy systems. 

We collaborate with palliative care specialist nurses to develop escape games that will later be made freely available in the sector. These games offer an innovative way to interact, test problem-solving abilities, and face challenges.