Westminster College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries joins prestigious World Design Organization

Founded in 1957, the WDO is a globally recognised non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing design. The WDO holds UNESCO consultative status and is committed to harnessing the power of design to address economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges. The organisation services over 190 member organisations around the world, engaging thousands of individual designers through their innovative programming and initiatives that champion ‘design for a better world.’

This exclusive membership is attained through invitation only and positions DCDI at the forefront of global design and creative innovation. Membership in the World Design Organisation opens doors to new opportunities for students and expands the University’s institutional reach across an extensive network. Membership in WDO also empowers the college to actively contribute to global community-building initiatives with a focus on diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and enhancing quality of life through design.

A significant highlight of this new partnership is a direct connection to hundreds of international companies and organisations worldwide. This network provides students with unprecedented access to real-world employability opportunities, internships and collaborative projects, enriching their educational experience and preparing them for success on the global design stage. Students will have the chance to engage with diverse cultures, industries and creative practices; fostering a well-rounded skill set for a competitive job market. Partnerships range from renowned names such as France's EDF and Germany's Braun to Tupperware in the Americas and Samsung in South Korea. These new collaborative opportunities exemplify the DCDI college's commitment to fostering international relationships and contributing to the global design landscape.

Professor Anastasios Maragiannis, Associate Head of College for External Relations, noted the myriad opportunities now available for students and staff and the potential for collaboration, knowledge exchange and international engagement. He said: "We are thrilled to announce our membership in the World Design Organization. This collaboration positions the DCDI college on a global stage, ready to lead in design and innovation. 

“Our students and staff can now engage with a vast network of international partners, contributing to meaningful solutions for global challenges and enhancing their employability. I encourage students, faculty and the entire community to actively seize the opportunities presented. Together, we can leverage the power of design to drive positive change, address pressing global issues and pave the way for a future where DCDI stands as a beacon of creativity and positive change. "

Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Employability and Global Engagement, said: “This initiative is a remarkable opportunity to serve our aim of ‘Employability for All.’ We want to ensure excellence in student experience as well as outcomes. We are a global university with students and colleagues from diverse international backgrounds. We are determined to use our membership in the WDO and doors it opens for the benefit of our students, colleagues and wider communities and organisations.”

This initiative contributes towards the Decent Work and Economic Growth (8) and the Partnerships for the Goals (17) development goals of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were adopted by the University of Westminster to help make the University a more sustainable, responsible and inclusive place to live, work and study.

Learn more about courses in the School of Architecture and Cities, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Westminster School of Arts and Westminster School of Media and Communications, which comprise the College of Design Creative and Digital Industries at the University of Westminster.