The Sustainable Development Workshop (SDW) project is a research and development infrastructure for PESO’s three higher education institutions. Based on the strategic priorities that were identified, Phase 2 of the workshop aims to create and manage transdisciplinary projects in collaboration with various programs at the institutions. The transdisciplinary nature of the projects pushes beyond the disciplinary limits of each project in order to create a continuum of study (Objective 1). It also allows students to discover academic paths they were not aware of (Objective 3). Phase 1 of the SDW revealed that the main thing students need is constructive experiences. The lack of such experiences affects their mental health and well-being.

The SDW uses the projects as a means of reaching out to the students, to answer their questions about well-being (Objective 4). The project pays particular attention to underrepresented groups by going out to meet them (Objective 2). Despite good intentions, higher education is strictly governed by a progression of academic learning whose aim is conformity. It leaves little room for student development in terms of their diversity, creativity and emancipation. By carrying out real projects, the students learn to act in situations of uncertainty, overcoming a major shortcoming that was reported by several employers in the region (Objective 5). In summary, the SDW combines the interests, concerns and goals of the different participants from the three institutions, by guiding them in project-based development.