Project lab as a learning tool for development of project management competences at university

Abstract

The article introduces the concept of the Project Laboratory (Project Lab) as an innovative learning tool in university. The concept of the Project Lab successfully integrates the students’ project management academic knowledge and practical skills, attracting available external and national EU funding and utilizing the professional experience of the faculty in project development and management. The essential part of the Project Lab is students’ teamwork – development of real life project application. The aim of the article is to analyze Project Lab pedagogic aspects – learning methods and gained competences, as well as to present and interpret the results of the Project Lab in the RISEBA University. On the basis of the analysis of the results, the further development of the Project Lab is presented for discussion.

The study is done using the desk research, providing literature review about learning methods and project management skills, as well as the project funding opportunities. Besides, an empiric study on Project Lab implementation in Latvia, RISEBA University is carried out, including analysis of quantitative and qualitative data gained during the last three years.

On the basis of the study results the authors have made conclusions and recommendations for further Project Lab development. The authors are coming up with further Project Lab activities in university, diversifying the Project Lab concept for international and multidisciplinary teams and different study levels. In order to measure the efficiency of the Project Lab, the authors have identified the next steps in the improvement of the Project Lab, such as development of the monitoring system of the project outcomes, which can be integrated in the university quality management system, as well as applying the Project Lab concept in multinational teams both for international students and the Erasmus exchange students. The Project Lab as a learning method may be adapted in other universities, regardless of the country of residence.