本校產學營運暨創新育成總中心（以下簡稱產創總中心）於3月28日及29日在研創大樓2樓玩物功坊舉辦「設計思考工作坊」，作為「2026政大創意點子黑客松競賽－打造永續未來」系列活動的首場課程。吸引超過100位來自政治大學及全台多所大學的學生參與，課程全程以英文進行，透過設計思考方法，引導學生從「以人為本」的角度思考問題並探索創新解決方案，為今年黑客松競賽正式揭開序幕。
本課程特別邀請來自新加坡的設計思考專家Simon Siah擔任講師，結合其在創新、創業與教育領域的豐富經驗，帶領學生認識設計思考的核心概念與實務應用。他提到設計思考不僅是一套解決問題的方法，更是一種觀察世界、提出問題並理解他人需求的思維方式。透過互動式課程與討論，鼓勵學生保持好奇心、挑戰既有假設，並從多元觀點思考問題。
Simon特別強調「理解問題」的重要性，若過於急於提出解決方案，往往容易忽略使用者真正的需求。他透過使用者訪談、腦力激盪與快速原型等實作活動，引導學生從使用者的經驗與行為中發掘洞察，進一步理解問題的本質。同時也呼應了本屆黑客松中的永續發展主題，因為永續議題往往涉及環境、社會與行為等多重面向，更需要從人的實際需求與生活經驗出發，才能發展出具可行性與影響力的創新解決方案。
學生以團隊形式進行合作，依序實作設計思考中的關鍵階段，包括問題探索、使用者研究、創意發想與初步原型設計。在過程中，許多團隊發現原本對問題的理解在與使用者交流後產生改變，並調整甚至重新定義原先的想法。而Simon也鼓勵學生不斷反思，例如「我們是在為誰設計？」「他們面臨什麼困難？」「這些問題為何會出現？」透過同理心重新理解問題，並強調創新並非尋找唯一正確答案，而是在不斷嘗試、測試與修正的過程中逐步完善想法。
本次設計思考工作坊為參與學生奠定重要基礎，提升學生對設計思考方法的理解，也讓參與者更有信心面對開放式創新挑戰。產學創總中心表示，未來將持續舉辦相關工作坊與培訓活動，協助學生在黑客松競賽前進一步深化創新思維與實作能力。
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On 28–29 March 2026, more than 100 students from NCCU and universities across Taiwan gathered for a Design Thinking Workshop that marked the launch of the 2026 NCCU Creative Ideas Hackathon. Organised by the Centre for Industry Collaboration and Innovation Incubation (CICII), the workshop introduced participants to the hackathon theme, “Shaping a Sustainable World,” through a human-centred design approach.
As the opening programme of the hackathon series, the workshop aimed to equip students with both the mindset and practical tools needed to address complex real-world challenges. At its core was human-centric design, an approach that emphasises empathy, a deep understanding of user needs, and iterative problem-solving.
The workshop was facilitated by Singapore-based design thinking expert Simon Siah, who shared insights drawn from his experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, and education. Through interactive sessions, he introduced design thinking not only as a structured framework but also as a way of observing, questioning, and learning from others.
A key message throughout the workshop was the importance of understanding the problem before attempting to solve it. Participants explored how rushing directly to solutions can sometimes overlook important insights about users’ needs and experiences. Through hands-on activities such as user interviews, brainstorming sessions, and rapid prototyping exercises, students learned how to uncover deeper insights into user behaviour and motivations. This perspective was particularly relevant to the hackathon’s sustainability theme. Sustainability challenges often involve complex issues across environmental, social, and behavioural dimensions. By grounding their ideas in real human experiences, participants were able to develop more practical and meaningful solutions.
Students worked in teams and moved through key stages of the design thinking process, including problem discovery, user research, ideation, and early prototyping. This experiential approach allowed participants to see how ideas evolve through testing, feedback, and revision. Many teams discovered that their initial assumptions about a problem changed as they engaged more deeply with users. Insights gathered through interviews and discussions often prompted participants to refine, adjust, or even rethink their original ideas. Participants were also encouraged to focus on asking better questions rather than rushing to produce solutions. Questions such as “Who are we designing for?”, “What challenges do they face?”, and “Why do these challenges exist?” helped teams reframe problems through empathy.
The workshop also emphasised that innovation is rarely about finding a single “correct” answer. Instead, it involves exploring possibilities, testing ideas, and refining them through feedback. This mindset encourages adaptability, resilience, and creativity, that are essential when addressing complex global challenges and developing meaningful, sustainable solutions.
As the first activity in the 2026 NCCU Creative Ideas Hackathon series, the workshop provided an important foundation for participants as they move forward with their projects. Many students left with a deeper appreciation of the role empathy plays in problem-solving, as well as greater confidence in approaching open-ended challenges.
The 2026 NCCU Creative Ideas Hackathon promises to be a dynamic platform for students to explore ideas, collaborate across disciplines, and develop solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. The Design Thinking Workshop has provided participants with both practical skills and a way of thinking that places people at the centre of innovation. NCCU CICII will continue to organise additional workshops to further prepare students for the Hackathon.
Simon Siah擔任本次設計思考工作坊講師，為政大黑客松競賽正式揭開序幕。(照片來源:產創總中心)
學生以團隊形式進行合作，實作設計思考中的各個階段。(照片來源:產創總中心)
學生積極地參與討論，並重新調整原形設計。(照片來源:產創總中心)
學生以小組報告方式，展示當天課程成果。(照片來源:產創總中心)
講師Simon Siah與參與同學大合照。(照片來源:產創總中心)