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Urban Health Case Challenge

Class at Faculty of Science |
MZ340A01

Syllabus

4EU+ Urban Health Case Challenge 2023: Obesity in an Urban Environment

Info na stránkách RUK: https://cuni.cz/UK-13066.htmlInfo na stránkách PřF UK: https://www.natur.cuni.cz/fakulta/aktuality/uzaverka-prihlasek-do-4eu-urban-health-case-challenge-2023  

In the academic year 2023/24, the UHCC is organized by dr. Grezegorz Kula from the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences. 

In 2023, the case challenge is focused on obesity in an urban environment. Obesity is one of the main civilizational challenges of our times. According to WHO, obesity is “often the result of environmental and societal changes associated with development and lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transport, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution, marketing, and education.” 

Starting on November 15th, four online classes will provide background knowledge ranging from medical issues to urban planning (they will be delivered weekly, most likely on Wednesdays from 17:00). The case challenge will take the form of a physical, in-person workshop in Warsaw from December 9th to December 12th, 2023.

The first day, the specific case question will be revealed for students’ teams to solve it creatively and innovatively with the reference to knowledge in the field. The case question allows for a variety of solutions from multiple approaches to address the diverse urban environments in Europe.

The participants will be trained in problem solving and the presentation of results and solutions, as well as developing and concretizing their ideas so they can present them convincingly. 

On the last day of the competition, the teams will present their solutions to an international jury of experts, followed by feedback on their ideas. The winning team may be given the opportunity to put their proposed idea into practice.   

Applications

If you want to participate in the challenge, send an application with the following information to Julie Hubeňáková, julie.hubenakova@ruk.cuni.cz and Luděk Sýkora, sykora@natur.cuni.cz:

Full name, CU student´s number

Faculty, study programme and level (bachelor, master, PhD)

A short and concise motivation for joining the case challenge (maximum 10 sentences).  

Based on the application, students will be selected to represent Charles University in the UHCC 2023.

The course is granted 3 ECTS.

In the case of doctoral studies, you can discuss with dissertation supervisor to include the Urban Health Case Challenge (UHCC) in your ISP's individual study plan.

The physical mobility to Warsaw is covered by a stipend. Each student is going to receive scholarship to cover 5 days travel expenses.

Timetable

On-line:November 2, 2023, 17:00, Information and organization meetingNovember 15, 2023, 17:00, Stepan Svacina, Charles University, „Introduction to obesity – causes, identification and treatment”November 21, 2023, 17:00, Daniela Lucini, University of Milano, "Connection between obesity, physical activity and lifestyle"November 29, 2023, 17:00, Simon Cook, Birmingham City University, “Geography of sport: running in cities”December 5, 2023, 17:00, Izabella Łęcka, University of Warsaw, “Physical activity as a vital element of the development of the concept of healthy cities”

On-site:December 9 – 12, 2023, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Dluga Street 44/50, Warsaw, PolandDecember 9, 2023 – registration starts at 9:00, opening, announcement of the case questionDecember 10, 2023 – problem solving workshop, December 11, 2023 – pitch trainingDecember 12, 2023 – pitch with teams presentations, announcement of the results till 15:00.

Annotation

The Urban Health Case Challenge (UHCC) is an initiative under the 4EU+ University Alliance, which aim is to addresses urban changes in relation to health and demographic transformation. In a case challenge (also often called a case competition) the participating student teams strive to develop the best solution to a real-world issue within a limited time-span.

Each team presents their solution in front of an expert jury at a pitching session on the last day of the case challenge. All teams receive pitch training to prepare them for the final presentation.

The aim is to strengthen university students’ competencies and engagement in solutions to real-world cases through employment of practical, theoretical, innovative and interdisciplinary thinking. Students work in mixed teams, to network and learn from and with each other, faculty, the external case provider and other stakeholders.