25 January 2019 | Münster
As münster.land.leben is one of the largest projects at MUAS, students are taking part in the project work as well. In the student project "Innovation for Society", three master students and eight bachelor students developed a lean canvas business model for the project "Fall management with civic engagement" from the Münster School of Health.
The aim of this student project was to generate empirical evidence and insights to support the civic engagement project via a business model approach. The motivational factors, barriers, and expectations of the people at risk of falling to receive support and their neighbours to engage in fall management and offer help were examined.
In their research, the students approached citizens from small villages (population density < 150/ km² or < 6,000 inhabitants), who might support their neighbours after a fall. Furthermore, they also searched for people who are at a risk of falling and would accept help. The project managers Prof. Dr. Thomas Baaken, Choiwai Maggie Chak (M.Sc.), Eva Sormani (M.Sc.) guided the students in their investigation.
One of the findings is that so called 'support givers' are mainly driven by three factors: getting together with other people, doing something for the common good and having fun.
This and other results plus implications were presented to delegates from the münster.land.leben project team. It was concluded by the students that: "To better encourage civic engagement in fall management, it is essential to provide a helpful, connected, and fun atmosphere".
After a round of questions and critical feedback, everyone went home with a new insight and ideas on how to contribute to societal advances, which is part of the innovation mission of MUAS.