inaglobe Mission and Vision
At the heart of inaglobe lies a dual commitment: to transform how students learn and how innovation happens. Our mission outlines the concrete work we do today; our vision describes the world we're building toward. Together, they guide every project, partnership, and pedagogical choice we make.
Mission
inaglobe empowers a new generation of engineers, designers, and innovators to become socially aware and globally conscious professionals through productive collaborations with partners and communities in resource‑constrained contexts. We integrate project‑based learning into university curricula, connecting students with real‑world problems sourced from grassroots initiatives and aligning academic pursuits with meaningful, practical challenges.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between theoretical education and impactful, practical work—preparing students to confidently and competently engage with the world's pressing challenges upon graduation, while simultaneously shifting innovation paradigms toward inclusivity and sustainability.
Theory of change: Education frame
Traditional educational models often emphasise theoretical frameworks, leaving graduates unprepared for the practical challenges they face in their professional lives. The divide between academic knowledge and the practical skills demanded by today's workforce is a growing concern in higher education.
The problem
Universities excel at developing analytical abilities but fall short in providing hands‑on experience crucial for workplace readiness. Students seeking meaningful social and environmental work often encounter abstract, de‑contextualised projects disconnected from the realities of communities on the ground.
Our approach
We embed real‑world project‑based learning into curricula, immersing students in actual social innovation projects. Through long‑term engagement with partners and communities, students develop critical thinking, adaptability, collaborative skills, and the confidence to navigate complex, unfamiliar contexts.
The outcome
Graduates with experiential learning backgrounds command higher starting salaries and are more likely to receive job offers. More importantly, they enter their careers equipped with the practical skills, ethical frameworks, and adaptive mindsets needed to tackle complex global challenges—from climate change to systemic inequality.
Theory of change: Innovation frame
Prevailing innovation paradigms are driven by a market‑centric approach, prioritising products that promise high returns and scalability. This approach often neglects the needs of marginalised communities and the environment, leaving behind a sizeable portion of the global population and contributing to ecological degradation.
The problem
Traditional venture capital models prioritise scalability and profitability over social impact. Social ventures operating in resource‑constrained contexts struggle to align with standard VC expectations, which favour short‑term financial returns over patient capital and societal benefits.
Our approach
We place inclusivity and sustainability at the heart of innovation projects. By involving end‑users and stakeholders from the outset, we ensure solutions are technologically sound, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious. Projects are treated as situated experiments rather than products to scale at all costs.
The outcome
We contribute to a growing movement that redefines success in innovation—not just by financial measures, but by positive impact on society and the planet. Our approach demonstrates how technology innovation can be steered in a more equitable and environmentally friendly direction, serving as a blueprint for inclusive and sustainable innovation practices.
Systems thinking approach
Drawing on systems thinking and systems science, inaglobe recognises that complex challenges cannot be addressed through linear, reductionist approaches. We work with students to understand interconnected systems—from local ecosystems to global supply chains—and to design interventions that consider multiple levels of complexity, feedback loops, and unintended consequences.
This systems‑oriented perspective helps students move beyond technological determinism toward a more nuanced understanding of how innovation shapes and is shaped by social, economic, and environmental contexts.