The Co-Innovate Platform establishes a dynamic platform to connect students directly with real-world challenges through partnerships with community organizations, corporations, and NGOs/NPOs partners through structured and student-led projects. Focused on applied research, technology innovation, creative projects (design/media/arts), and social practice/service, it empowers students to translate academic knowledge into contextual practice, foster meaningful community development, enhance future employability, and strengthen DKU’s social embedment and partnerships. Offered projects range from short-term engagements to long-term collaborations, creating a dynamic ecosystem of mutual growth.

Our Value:
Co-Innovate means to connect diverse perspectives, bridge knowledge and practice, and co-design solutions that generate sustainable impact. We believe that meaningful innovation arises not from isolated ideas but from collective imagination, mutual learning and relationships built on trust, empathy, and shared growth.

Highlights

Apply for 2026 Spring Projects

Key Stakeholders

Partners

The most distinctive feature of the Co-Innovation Platform lies in its opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange with diverse partners.
Our partners include community organizations, corporations, and NGOs/NPOs.
We also welcome individual entrepreneurs and independent creative practitioners to join our projects, offering real-world insights, field expertise, and resources that help ensure the social relevance and applicability of project outcomes.

DKU Students

The platform primarily serves DKU undergraduate and graduate students who work in interdisciplinary teams to address real-world challenges through research and innovation.
Each team is led by a Student Leader who coordinates collaboration with mentors and partners, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful outcomes.
Exchange students from Duke University or Wuhan University are also welcome to apply, subject to availability after DKU students.

Mentors

Mentors provide academic and professional guidance throughout the project, supporting student teams in problem-solving, reflection, and structured project development.
Depending on the project’s focus, mentors may include DKU faculty members, external professionals, or experienced student mentors.
Partners may also serve as mentors, offering dual academic and practical perspectives.

Co-Innovate Team

The Co-Innovation Team oversees the strategic development of the platform and manages its overall operations. We identify and engage partners and mentors, recruit student teams, and coordinate project implementation and evaluation.
The team also provides training, funding, and networking opportunities to support quality and sustainability.
Through these efforts, each project is structured effectively from conception to completion, fostering collaboration, accountability, and long-term impact.

Project Types

Research Project

These projects apply academic methods to address a partner’s specific question or challenge.
Students conduct literature reviews, gather and analyze data, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
The final output may include a research paper, impact assessment, feasibility study, or other formal deliverable that partners can directly use.

Technology Innovation Project

The Technology Innovation Project focuses on developing tools, systems, or prototypes to address technical or social problems.
Students work closely with partners to identify needs, design solutions, and iteratively build and test them.
The outcome could be software, hardware, data analysis tools, or improved processes as prototypes.

Creative Project

The Creative Project uses design, media, or arts to communicate ideas, inspire change, and address challenges in innovative ways.
Working closely with partners, students experiment and produce a wide range of creative outputs, including
but not limited to graphics, exhibitions, films or documentaries, marketing campaigns, public arts, and other design works that connect creativity with social impact.

Social Practice & Service Project

This type of project is rooted in direct engagement with communities, focusing on capacity building, education, and service delivery.
Students and partners co-design and implement community development initiatives and volunteer programs that foster trust, address local needs, and create sustainable impact. It includes two main formats: Project-Based Track and Community Leader Track

How it works

01 Project Application

The following guide outlines how students can apply for and carry out a project from startto completion.

Any questions, please kindly contact: DKU-Innovation@dukekunshan.edu.cn

1

Identify Opportunities

Students explore projects on the Co-Innovate Platform or independently reach out to partners to discuss potential collaboration and clarify the scope of projects.

2

Form a Team

Students are encouraged to form an interdisciplinary team with skills relevant to the project. One member should be designated as the Student Leader to coordinate the application process. Individual applications with specific interests or expertise are also welcome; in such cases, the Co-Innovate Platform will assist in identifying and recruiting additional team members as needed.

3

Submit Application

Teams complete an application form. Applications are submitted via the Co-Innovate Platform.

02 Project Execution

Once a team is selected, the project moves into the execution phase, which involves structured collaboration with mentors and partners, implementation of planned activities, and ongoing evaluation. This section outlines general guidance for all project types

Preperation

Orientation and Training: All teams are required to complete all designated orientation sessions and training programs prior to project execution.
Partner Meeting: Student Leaders organize initial meetings with mentors, partners, and team members to clarify project objectives, roles of team members, timelines, and expected deliverables.
Proposal Submission: Teams prepare concise project proposals and submit them to the Co-Innovate Platform for review and approval.

Ongoing Execution

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What we offer

The Co-Innovate Platform provides students with structured support and professional guidance throughout their project journey. Through general training, student leaders training, and online learning packages, students gain the skills to manage progress, solve real-world challenges, and develop personal and professional competence. With access to funding opportunities and the Innovation Lab for collaboration and prototyping, students are guided to maintain project quality and deliver meaningful, high-impact outcomes.

General Training Program

The General Trainings provide all students with foundational knowledge and skills necessary for successful participation in Co-Innovation projects. These trainings equip students with the tools to manage teams, engage stakeholders, integrate academic knowledge with practical problem-solving, and evaluate project impact.

Online Toolkit Package & Online Resources

The Online Learning Toolkit complements training by providing on-demand resources to support self-paced learning and project execution.

All students enrolled in a project receive access to the toolkit at the start of the semester, which will be regularly updated with new modules, mentor recommendations, and curated partner resources.

Core Modules:
• Project Management Templates (Timeline, Milestones, Budget, Deliverables)
• Leadership & Teamwork Guides
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Toolkit
• Academic Research Resources & Citation Guides
• Creative Software Tutorials (Adobe Suite, Figma, Premiere, etc.)
• Technical Toolkits (Programming guides, hardware prototyping tutorials)
Interactive Resources:
• Discussion forums for cross-project peer learning
• Recorded webinars and mentor Q&A sessions
• Case studies of successful Co-Innovation projects
• Self-assessment tools for reflection and skill tracking

Funding & Space

• Seed Funding

Each approved team may receive initial funding to support essential project expenses. The DKU Finance 101 training will provide guidance on how to prepare funding proposals, submit reimbursement documents, and ensure compliance with university financial policies.

• Workspace & Facilities

Teams have access to DKU’s Innovation Lab, studios, and other collaboration spaces for meetings, prototyping, and creative work. Space reservations must be made in advance by contacting the DKU Innovation Lab team.

Media & Communication Support

The platform offers assistance in documenting project progress, producing short videos, and preparing materials for exhibitions or presentations, helping teams effectively communicate their project outcomes and social impact.