Between 28 April and 2 May 2025, Dr Gabriella Rodolico, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, and Dr Ashley Lewis-Cole, Learning and Teaching Strategy Manager, had the privilege of contributing to the AUU Global Synergy through the COIL 2.0 professional development programme, hosted at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. This initiative, organised by the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities (AUU), brought together educators from eight Ukrainian institutions to explore how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) can foster innovation, resilience, and internationalisation in higher education.

Building on the success of the programme’s first edition in Lviv earlier this year, this second edition focused on deepening participants’ understanding of COIL methodology and increasing cross-institutional collaboration—both internationally and within Ukraine—with the aim of enriching students’ learning experiences despite the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine’s education sector.

Dr Rodolico’s session, “Unpacking the Impact of COIL on Tutors and Students through Course Design Experience and Critical Reflection,” drew on case studies from the School of Education and expanded on the SUNY COIL model. She shared practical strategies for integrating COIL into undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with a strong emphasis on inclusive, experiential, and intercultural learning. Through this lens, COIL emerges not only as a pedagogical innovation but also as a vehicle for digital empathy and a greater sense of belonging among diverse student groups.

Dr Lewis-Cole presented “Establishing Institutional Guidance for COIL – A Case Study from the University of Glasgow,”outlining how the University’s COIL Working Group developed practical, scalable guidelines to embed COIL across disciplines, ensuring a consistent and sustainable institutional approach.

The response from participants was deeply moving. In a letter of thanks from AUU and Taras Shevchenko University, Gabriella and Ashley were recognised not only for the academic value of their contributions but also for the solidarity expressed through their presence. In a time of war, this exchange served as a powerful reminder of the role education plays in fostering resilience, dialogue, and hope.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Ukrainian colleagues and to support COIL initiatives like this, reaffirming our institutions’ shared commitment to connected, inclusive, and globally minded education.”

Find out more about the programme on the Taras Shevchenko National University website.

English translation available on the website.

First published: 28 May 2025

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