The Tank and Al-Ahliyya Amman University Hold a Virtual Design Thinking Online Session

October xx, 2020 – Amman, Jordan: The Tank, Umniah’s business incubator, held a virtual design thinking online session in cooperation with the Al-Ahliyya Amman University, a move that is directly in line with its continuous efforts to support Jordanian startups and entrepreneurs. The seminar, which was entitled “Spark Your Innovation,” delved into the latest advances in the world of innovation and creativity, with a focus on the ethos of design thinking.

During the two-hours session, which was moderated by an accredited design thinking coach Ala’a Agha Karss, participants have been introduced to the methodology of design thinking, as a dynamic process to redefine problems, find innovative solutions and challenge previously-held assumptions.

The session, which was held on September 27, was attended by students who are part of The Tank’s Al-Ahliyya Amman University branch. Attendees of the session were also afforded the chance to attend a more detailed two-days Design Thinking workshop on September 29 and 30 held for all startups incubated at The Tank.

Commenting on the session, Umniah CEO Ziad Shatara said, “A main pillar of Umniah’s strategy is empowering the entrepreneurial sector through The Tank, and this design thinking seminar is an integral part of those efforts. Umniah will maintain its avid support of entrepreneurs, helping them implement their projects and ensuring they are both viable and income-generating by introducing them to the latest advances in innovation and entrepreneurship.” Shatara went on to add that design thinking is an effective tool to uncover dynamic, innovative, non-linear solutions to challenges are facing both people and companies. He stressed the importance of instilling the concept of design thinking among entrepreneurs, encouraging them to apply its methodologies in order to develop their critical thinking skills, advance positive thinking based on data analysis, identify problems and devise collaborative solutions. The concept also involves focusing on the client and enhancing the skills of the workforce, which ultimately fuels innovation and competition in the market.

Design thinking is an effective way for startups and entrepreneurs to enhance their productivity and processes in a fun and innovative way, and involves solution-based thinking, or reasoning based on an objective instead of beginning with a certain problem.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, The Tank has played an active role in supporting Jordanian entrepreneurs and startups by holding online events, including hosting experts in virtual seminars to combat specific issues that have arisen due to the pandemic.