## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [Designing for Impact: OCAD U Students Collaborate with SASANE in Nepal](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/2671) August 27, 2024 # Designing for Impact: OCAD U Students Collaborate with SASANE in Nepal ![Cover image displaying a group photo of all students](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-02/4_1.jpg.webp?itok=qkoCcMJe) In May of 2024, Associate Professor, Social Innovation Design, **Sarah Tranum** led thirteen undergraduate design students from across six programs in the Faculty of Design, to Pokhara, Nepal, where they worked with staff and participants from **SASANE**, a survivor-led organization that works to raise awareness and end human trafficking in Nepal. Among the many programs and supports it offers, **SASANE** has several training initiatives that help women gain the skills and confidence needed to explore different employment opportunities. The project focus of the Design Abroad course was working with staff and participants from **SASANE**, **GVI Nepal**, and other community-based stakeholders to co-design communication, product, and systems design solutions that expand **SASANE’s** capacity and supports its mission. Founded in 2008, **SASANE** “stands against human trafficking, child marriage, women violence, and oppression so that no female is exploited for forced slavery, flesh trade or early marriage.” The growing awareness of these issues internationally along with **SASANE's** established track record working on human trafficking and women's rights issues provided a solid foundation for the course's participatory project to lead to implementation and long-term adoption. ![Students gathers around a table working collaboratively](/sites/default/files/inline-images/DesignAbroadNepal1_Sarah%20Tranum.jpg) ***Co-Designing for change*** Over three weeks, students worked with **SASANE** staff and participants to develop a range of solutions, including a new logo, website, product line, and marketing strategies. This hands-on collaboration enabled students to learn how design can intersect with social, cultural, and environmental issues to create meaningful change. The participatory process involved interviews, prototyping, and consultation with local stakeholders, ensuring that the solutions were culturally relevant and sustainable. ![Students stamping and painting around a table](/sites/default/files/inline-images/DesignAbroadNepal2_Sarah%20Tranum.jpg) ***Building lasting connections*** This project is the result of a partnership between OCAD University and **GVI**, an award-winning organization that focuses on high-impact and high-quality conservation and community development programs in several countries. In collaboration with the **GVI** team, the Design Abroad faculty developed the program structure built upon **GVI’s** long-term, trusted relationship with **SASANE**. The work the students accomplished in collaboration with the community continues as **GVI** field staff provides ongoing support to **SASANE** to implement the marketing, product, and service design solutions that were co-designed during the three weeks of this course. The project strengthened **SASANE’s** capacity to raise awareness and support survivors of human trafficking. **GVI Nepal** will continue to assist in implementing the co-designed solutions, ensuring long-term impact. Students not only contributed to **SASANE’s** mission but also gained a deeper understanding of Nepal’s unique challenges and resilience. Alongside their work, students immersed themselves in Nepali culture, from exploring local landscapes to tasting traditional foods, forging connections with the community and each other. The collaboration continues with an exhibition on campus at OCAD U's Great Hall from September 25 to October 8, 2024. This showcase will feature innovative projects inspired by the students’ experiences in Nepal, ranging from speculative design to performance art. ***Additional Links:*** - [Design Abroad](https://www.ocadu.ca/DesignAbroad) - [SASANE Sisterhood Trek](https://sasanesisterhoodtrek.com/) ![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/DesignAbroadNepal6_Sarah%20Tranum.jpg)![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/DesignAbroadNepal5_Sarah%20Tranum.jpg) ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### Creative Ecologies: Art, Sustainability & Community Resilience in Nassau, Bahamas In May 2026, the International Programs & Collaboration Office is offering a co-curricular opportunity in Nassau, Bahamas. This program is tailored to students working in all mediums and creative disciplines and is designed to strengthen their professional practice through hands-on learning. February 17, 2026 ](/news/creative-ecologies-art-sustainability-community-resilience-nassau-bahamas) [### OCAD University announces 2026 Ateneo Art Award Resident Jel Suarez Filipino artist Jel Suarez has been selected as OCAD University’s 2026 Ateneo Art Award Resident, part of OCAD U’s partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery at Ateneo de Manila University. The residency supports emerging artists whose practices reflect creativity, critical engagement and innovation. Building on the 2024 residency of Doktor Karayom, who presented No One’s At Home (Walang Tao Sa Bahay) in Toronto, proceeds from a limited-edition shirt designed by Karayom will help support Suarez’s upcoming residency and strengthen cultural exchange between OCAD University and the Ateneo Art Gallery. October 15, 2025 ](/news/ocad-university-announces-2026-ateneo-art-award-resident-jel-suarez) [### OCAD U at FUZE Caribbean Art Fair 2025 OCAD University students, alumni and faculty will present In Common Ink at FUZE Caribbean Art Fair 2025, held October 22–26 at Baha Mar in Nassau, The Bahamas. The project features collaborative risograph prints exploring shared histories and identity, created with visiting Bahamian artist John Cox. Limited-edition prints will be for sale. October 7, 2025 ](/news/ocad-u-fuze-caribbean-art-fair-2025)