Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Kansai University (JP) and Florida International University (USA)

Overview

The partnership between Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), Florida International University (FIU), and Kansai University (KU) was one of the most interdisciplinary collaborations in the VE/COIL Initiative. It brought together courses in Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Politics, and Materials Engineering, providing a platform for over 150 undergraduate and graduate students to engage in cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary dialogues. Through the integration of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework, this partnership highlighted the vast potential of COIL to connect students and faculty across diverse fields to collaboratively address global challenges.

This initiative demonstrated how VE/COIL could bridge disciplinary divides, cultivate intercultural competence, and facilitate problem-solving across international boundaries. The success of this collaboration lies not only in the academic content but also in the practical experiences of students who navigated different learning environments, languages, and time zones to achieve common educational outcomes.

COIL Instructors

  • Vedrana Jez Headshot

    Vedrana Jez, Associate Professor of Business Administration

    Vedrana Jez teaches Ethics, CSR, Leadership, and Strategic Management at HVL Business School. Her research focuses on Strategic Leadership, Strategic Decision Making, Managerial  Cognition, Mindfulness, and Distributive Justice, which she integrates into her teaching on sustainability and business ethics. She is also actively involved in HVL’s Sustainability and Green Innovation (SGI) research group, contributing to regional and international projects that promote sustainable development.

     

    Lars Leer Headshot

    Lars Leer, Associate Professor of Social Sciences

    With a background in Social Anthropology, Lars Leer specializes in sustainable development, global political dynamics, and education for sustainable development. His interdisciplinary expertise allowed him to bring a holistic view to the collaboration, integrating human geography, international relations, and development studies into the COIL activities.

  • Masato Ueda Headshot

    Masato Ueda, professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Materials, and Bioengineering

    Masato Ueda’s expertise in physical metallurgy and nanotechnology brought a unique perspective to the COIL collaboration. His research in structural materials and photocatalytic reactions helped students from diverse academic backgrounds understand the role of engineering and materials science in addressing environmental challenges.
     

  • Lukas Karl Danner Headshot

    Lukas Karl Danner, Faculty Administrator/Associate Director, International Relations

    Lukas Danner’s background in International Relations, with a focus on security studies and environmental politics, positioned him as a key facilitator in the COIL partnership. His research on geopolitics and small states provided students with an understanding of global governance and sustainability challenges.
     

    Maikel Right Headshot

    Maikel Right, Associate Director of Instructional Learning Technology, FIU Online

    Maikel Right’s role in the collaboration focused on the integration of instructional technologies. His work on online pedagogy and digital learning tools supported the students in navigating the technical challenges of cross-border collaboration, ensuring that they could effectively communicate and engage in project activities despite time zone differences.
     

Curricular Framework

The curricular framework of this VE/COIL partnership centered on the SDGs, providing a globally relevant and interdisciplinary context for students to explore sustainability issues. Each institution contributed its expertise, with HVL focusing on ethics and CSR, FIU on political and environmental issues, and KU on materials science and engineering.

Students engaged in a series of collaborative projects designed to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of modern companies, using the SDGs as a guiding lens. These projects challenged students to critically analyze how businesses contribute to or mitigate environmental degradation, while also considering the cultural and geographic contexts of their peers in Norway, the U.S., and Japan.

Formative assessments, including journal reflections and group presentations, allowed students to develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and cross-cultural communication skills. By working in diverse, international teams, students were able to reflect on their own values and biases, while gaining exposure to different perspectives on sustainability.

Goals & Outcomes

The main goals of this collaboration were to:

  • Developstudents’ intercultural communication and collaboration skills through project-based learning.
  • Enhance students’ understanding of sustainability from a global perspective, particularly in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Encourage students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world sustainability challenges, developing practical solutions in diverse, cross-disciplinary teams.
  • Cultivate students' ability to reflect on their own cultural perspectives and adapt to new contexts in international work environments.

By the end of the course, students demonstrated improved communication skills, the ability to work across disciplines, and a deeper understanding of how sustainability issues are addressed differently in various cultural and academic settings.

Activities

The collaborative activities included both synchronous and asynchronous learning components. HVL’s Canvas LMS served as the central hub for communication and resource sharing, with Zoom used for live meetings and Padlet for collaborative discussions. 

Photo: (Left to Right): Professors Lukas Danner (FIU) and Vedrana Jez (HVL) co-present their COIL course plans at the AAC&U Institute on VE/COIL workshop in Bergen, Norway, June 2023.
Photo: (Left to Right): Professors Lukas Danner (FIU) and Vedrana Jez (HVL) co-present their COIL course plans at the AAC&U Institute on VE/COIL workshop in Bergen, Norway, June 2023. 

Key activities included:

  • Group Projects: Students were divided into mixed teams to create case studies on sustainable companies. They analyzed these companies' contributions to the SDGs, focusing on ethical dilemmas and how these were addressed in different cultural contexts.
  • Synchronous Discussions: Weekly Zoom sessions facilitated real-time discussions, where students presented their research findings and engaged in debates about sustainability challenges.
  • Asynchronous Tasks: Students participated in discussion boards and collaborative document editing to share resources and feedback on their projects.
  • Formative Reflections: Journal reflections allowed students to document their learning journey, reflecting on their experiences working in international teams and engaging with sustainability issues.

Results & Impact

This trilateral collaboration marked a significant achievement in the use of VE/COIL to create cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning experiences. Throughout the project, students not only deepened their understanding of the UN SDGs but also gained critical insights into how businesses across different cultural and economic contexts contribute to or mitigate global challenges like environmental sustainability.

One of the most notable outcomes was the way students from diverse academic disciplines — spanning business ethics, international politics, and materials engineering — came together to explore sustainability from multiple perspectives. This interdisciplinary collaboration encouraged students to think beyond their immediate fields of study and engage with complex, real-world issues. As they worked together to analyze the environmental and social impact of modern companies, students developed not only academic knowledge but also practical skills in cross-cultural communication and teamwork. Many students reflected that these interactions challenged them to rethink their personal values and broaden their perspectives on global sustainability.

For many students, the experience had a profound impact on their outlook toward international collaboration. At HVL, several students expressed a newfound interest in studying abroad. Three HVL students have since decided to participate in an exchange program with Kansai University, a direct result of the connections they made during this project. At FIU and KU, students also shared that their participation in the COIL activities increased their interest in pursuing international academic and professional opportunities, highlighting the role that virtual exchanges can play in fostering global mobility and professional growth.

Faculty members also reflected on the project's successes and challenges. While there were some hurdles in maintaining consistent student engagement — particularly at Kansai University, where participation in COIL was optional — the professors remained optimistic about the long-term value of these collaborations. For instance, Professor Vedrana Jez at HVL emphasized how the project not only helped students develop a deeper understanding of corporate sustainability but also showcased the potential of COIL to connect students and faculty across disciplines in meaningful ways. Professor Danner at FIU noted that the reflective activities incorporated into the course were particularly effective in helping students process their experiences and understand how their cultural backgrounds influence their perspectives on global issues.

The project’s interdisciplinary nature presented its own set of challenges. The diversity of academic backgrounds meant that students had to navigate different approaches to learning and problem-solving. In some cases, this led to frustrations, particularly when group members from different institutions had differing expectations for participation or contributions to the final project. At HVL, students occasionally struggled with the group dynamics, especially when peers from other universities were less engaged. Despite these difficulties, students expressed pride in their ability to work through these challenges and deliver their final projects, which they viewed as a significant accomplishment in their academic careers.

From a research perspective, the collaboration also yielded important insights into the psychological and intercultural impact of COIL. The team of professors presented their findings at the 2024 Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting in a paper titled "Virtual Bridges, Real Minds: Assessing the Psychological Impact of COIL on Cross-Cultural Attitudes and Beliefs." Drawing from student reflections, they found that COIL fostered a deeper awareness of cultural diversity and global challenges among participants. Students particularly appreciated the chance to engage in meaningful dialogue and projects that transcended traditional academic boundaries, leading to a more nuanced understanding of sustainability and corporate responsibility.

 2024 Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting in a paper titled "Virtual Bridges, Real Minds: Assessing the Psychological Impact of COIL on Cross-Cultural Attitudes and Beliefs.

Challenges

However, the project was not without its challenges. One of the key difficulties was managing varying levels of student engagement across the three institutions. At HVL and FIU, participation in COIL was integrated into the formal course structure and assessment criteria, which ensured a higher level of involvement. In contrast, at Kansai University, where participation was optional and viewed as an extracurricular activity, student engagement was more inconsistent. This disparity led to some frustrations among students, particularly in group projects where uneven participation created additional workload for some students.

Despite these challenges, the project had a lasting impact on both students and faculty. Professors Danner, Jez, and Ueda have already begun exploring ways to refine the partnership for future iterations, with a focus on addressing issues related to student motivation and participation. The faculty expressed interest in integrating COIL more seamlessly into their course curricula and are actively looking for ways to align the collaboration more closely with formal assessment structures to ensure more consistent student involvement across all institutions.

In the broader context, this partnership served as a model for how COIL can be used to bridge academic and cultural divides. It demonstrated that even with the inherent challenges of time zones, cultural differences, and varying levels of student engagement, COIL can foster meaningful global learning experiences that have the potential to transform students' academic and professional trajectories. As Professor Jez reflected, the project highlighted the importance of faculty support, clear communication, and adaptability in making such collaborations successful. The lessons learned from this partnership will not only inform future COIL initiatives at HVL, FIU, and Kansai University but will also contribute to the growing body of knowledge on best practices for virtual exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The collaboration between these three institutions showcased how COIL can create impactful, interdisciplinary learning opportunities that prepare students to tackle complex global issues while enhancing their intercultural and interdisciplinary competencies.

"It was challenging at times, especially navigating the different academic cultures and varying levels of student participation. But it was incredibly rewarding to see how students grew throughout the project and how their perspectives shifted. Many of them gained a deeper understanding of sustainability that they wouldn’t have gotten in a traditional classroom setting."
/ Professor Vedrana Jez from HVL

Testimonials & Experiences

The VE/COIL partnership between HVL/FIU/KU sparked a wide range of reflections from students and faculty, underscoring the transformative potential of this global collaboration. The personal and academic growth reported by participants highlights the value of connecting students from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds.

At HVL, students spoke about how the experience expanded their understanding of sustainability beyond the Norwegian context. 

"I didn’t expect to learn so much about how the Japanese and American perspectives on sustainability differ from ours. It made me rethink how I view global issues like corporate responsibility," shared one HVL student. 

This sentiment was echoed by others who found the COIL project to be an eye-opener, particularly in the way it challenged their assumptions and broadened their horizons. Some students were so inspired by the collaboration that they decided to pursue study abroad opportunities, with three HVL students now preparing for an exchange program in Japan. FIU students similarly found the experience enriching. 

"The opportunity to work with students from Norway and Japan was unlike anything I’ve done before. It really pushed me to think differently about how businesses can address sustainability and how cultural differences influence the way we approach these problems," remarked one participant. 

For many FIU students, the COIL initiative provided a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in cross-cultural communication and collaboration—skills that they saw as critical for their future careers.
The KU students, while fewer in number, also expressed appreciation for the learning experience. One student noted, 

"Even though it was optional for us, I found myself fully engaged because the project was so interesting. I liked that we could bring our own perspectives on engineering to the discussions about sustainability." 

This highlights the flexibility of COIL to engage students across disciplines and academic levels, even when participation isn’t compulsory.
Faculty members were also deeply reflective about their roles in facilitating the COIL partnership. Professor Vedrana Jez from HVL shared her thoughts on the challenges and rewards of working with an international cohort. 

"It was challenging at times, especially navigating the different academic cultures and varying levels of student participation. But it was incredibly rewarding to see how students grew throughout the project and how their perspectives shifted. Many of them gained a deeper understanding of sustainability that they wouldn’t have gotten in a traditional classroom setting."


Professor Lukas Danner from FIU emphasized the importance of reflection in the learning process, noting that students who participated in reflective exercises showed greater growth in their intercultural competencies. 

"The reflections really helped students process what they were learning and how their cultural backgrounds influenced their perspectives. It also helped them recognize the value of working in a global team, which is a crucial skill in today’s interconnected world."


Despite the challenges posed by time zone differences and occasional communication barriers, the overall sentiment from both students and faculty was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants described the COIL experience as a unique opportunity that enhanced their academic learning and personal growth. 

"I’m proud of what we accomplished," reflected one HVL student. "It was hard work, but I learned so much—not just about sustainability, but about myself and how I can collaborate with people from different cultures."

Photo: (Left to Right, Clockwise): Professors Masato Ueda (KU), Vedrana Jez (HVL), Torunn Stornes Kittelsen (HVL), Alonso Cruz (FIU), Lukas Danner (FIU), and Lars Leer (HVL), AAC&U Institute on VE/COIL Workshop in Bergen, Norway, June 2023.
Photo: (Left to Right, Clockwise): Professors Masato Ueda (KU), Vedrana Jez (HVL), Torunn Stornes Kittelsen (HVL), Alonso Cruz (FIU), Lukas Danner (FIU), and Lars Leer (HVL), AAC&U Institute on VE/COIL Workshop in Bergen, Norway, June 2023. 

Future Directions

As the HVL-FIU-KU partnership continues to evolve, all participating institutions have expressed a commitment to deepening and expanding their collaboration. Building on the success and challenges of the initial COIL implementation, the teams are already planning future iterations, with the goal of refining the course structure, increasing student engagement, and aligning the partnership more closely with institutional goals.

At HVL, professors Vedrana Jez and Lars Leer are exploring ways to integrate more interdisciplinary elements and provide students with clearer expectations for participation. They are considering offering COIL across a broader range of courses, incorporating lessons learned from their experience with the SDG framework. In addition, they hope to further develop the collaborative research project established between the three institutions, focusing on how sustainability and corporate responsibility can be taught through a global lens.

At FIU, Lukas Danner and Maikel Right have expressed enthusiasm about continuing to foster international relationships, including plans to formalize exchange programs with HVL and KU. FIU's commitment to COIL has generated interest among other faculty members, leading to discussions about expanding the program to more disciplines and courses. With strong institutional support for internationalization, FIU is exploring the potential for multi-year collaborations and grant applications to secure additional resources for future projects.

At Kansai University, Professor Masato Ueda hopes to promote a blended mobility model that combines virtual exchange with physical student mobility. While the COIL component was optional for KU students in the first iteration, Ueda plans to work with university leadership to integrate COIL more formally into the curriculum. This would ensure greater consistency in participation and provide students with a structured, impactful international experience.
Looking ahead, the partnership will focus on refining its approach to student motivation and engagement, especially in light of the challenges encountered with differing participation levels. By fostering clearer communication between institutions and leveraging technology more effectively, the team believes that future COIL projects will be more cohesive and impactful. Additionally, the professors are committed to exploring new ways to assess the impact of COIL on student learning outcomes, particularly through tools like the Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory (BEVI) and other formative assessments.

In conclusion, the HVL-FIU-KU collaboration represents a promising model for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural partnerships in higher education. With continued refinement and support from all three institutions, the team is optimistic about the long-term sustainability of their COIL projects and their potential to foster global citizenship, intercultural competence, and academic growth among students.