Howest's Bachelor's program in Industrial Product Design (IPO) in Kortrijk has once again been recognized as the world's best product design program. This announcement was made during the Rookies Global School Rankings 2026. Following a first-place ranking in 2024 and a fourth place in 2025, the West Flanders-based program has reclaimed the global top spot.
This prestigious ranking is based on student work from over 480 institutions across 104 countries. An international jury of industry professionals evaluated portfolios based on criteria such as creativity, technical skills, execution, and professional employability. In total, nearly 7,000 submissions were assessed by over 38,000 professional reviewers.
This latest accolade follows an exceptionally strong year for Howest. Earlier this year, students and alumni from the Industrial Product Design bachelor's program secured four distinctions at the international Rookie Awards in the Product & Industrial Design category. Notably, alumnus Tibo Schöning was named 'Rookie of the Year' for his innovative mobile sound system, co-developed with fellow alumni Tosin Thompson and Laurens Van Laerhoven. Erik Dooms achieved second place with his design portfolio, while Tijn Debusschere received both a 'Highly Commended' mention and the 'People's Choice Award'.
According to Howest, this new world title underscores the effectiveness of their practice-oriented approach. Students engage in the complete design process, from initial user research and concept development to material selection, prototyping, technical detailing, and production. At Campus Kortrijk Weide, they have access to professional workshops and advanced technologies to transform ideas into tangible products. Students also collaborate closely with companies and organizations on real-world design challenges, emphasizing sustainability and societal relevance.
Frederik D’hulster, General Director of Howest, highlighted that this first place is a testament to the talent of the students and the expertise of the staff. "Design thinking is in Howest's DNA," he stated. "We teach our students to think critically and methodologically, translating creative ideas into innovative, feasible products. We view emerging technologies like AI as powerful tools for designers, not replacements." He added that close industry collaboration ensures students are prepared for a constantly evolving design landscape. "Following our international successes in game design, we are now confirming in product design that Kortrijk is among the world's elite, and our students can compete at the highest international level."
