COIL PROJECTS AS A STRATEGY FOR THE INTERNATIONALISATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION: REFLECTIONS FROM A PORTUGUESE-BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE

Forfattere

  • Magda Sofia Valério Monteiro Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
  • Sónia Catarina Lopes Estrela Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Transdisciplinary Research Center for Culture, Space and Memory University of Porto Porto, Portugal
  • Henrique Antonio Mendonça Faria São Paulo State University (UNESP), Chemistry Institute (IQ), Araraquara, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i9.6154

Nøgleord:

COIL, transversal skills, virtual exchange, internationalisation, higher education

Resumé

COIL (collaborative online international learning) projects offer an accessible pedagogical approach to internationalise higher education, particularly for students unable to participate in physical mobility programmes. By connecting students from diverse countries and cultures, COIL democratises internationalisation and prepares students for dynamic, intercultural job markets, fostering essential transversal skills. This article presents the COIL project, Environmental management and protection: analysis of initiatives adopted by Portuguese companies, a collaboration between the University of Aveiro in Portugal and São Paulo State University in Brazil. The project aimed to analyse the investments, costs, and benefits of environmental management measures in Portuguese companies, applying statistics, mathematics, and project management. The project structure involved binational teams, environmental data analysis, report preparation, and results presentation. The participants found the experience enriching, highlighting the development of international collaboration, teamwork, and intercultural communication skills. They noted that the exchange expanded their perception of cultural diversity and promoted intercultural collaboration. Challenges included uneven participation, unbalanced task distribution, and difficulties in time management and communication. Suggestions for improvement included increased teacher supervision, better time management, greater student commitment, and balanced task distribution. Student feedback was gathered through questionnaires from the University of Aveiro’s office and the project’s instructors.

 

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Forfatterbiografier

  • Magda Sofia Valério Monteiro, Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Center for Research and Development in Mathematics and Applications, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

    Magda Monteiro holds a PhD in Mathematics, an M.Sc. in Applied Statistics and Modelling, and a degree in Applied Mathematics and Computation (University of Aveiro, 1998). She is an Associate Professor at the Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, and a researcher at CIDMA – Center for Research & Development in Mathematics and Applications. Her research interests include count data modelling, generalized linear and state space models and environmental statistics. She is also interested in active teaching strategies to enhance student engagement and learning.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6976-6897

  • Sónia Catarina Lopes Estrela, Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Transdisciplinary Research Center for Culture, Space and Memory University of Porto Porto, Portugal

    Sónia Estrela holds a PhD in Archival and Library Information Science (2014) from the University of Coimbra, a Master's degree in Archives, Libraries, and Information Science from the University of Évora, and a degree in History from the University of Coimbra. She also completed postgraduate studies in Business Information Systems (Polytechnic Institute of Porto) and in Documentary Sciences – Archives (2003) and Documentation and Library (2004), both from the University of Coimbra. She is an Assistant Professor at the Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, and a member of the Transdisciplinary Research Center “Culture, Space and Memory” (CITCEM) at the University of Porto, where she is part of the Information, Communication and Digital Culture research group. Her research focuses on information management, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and decision-making processes.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8932-7055

  • Henrique Antonio Mendonça Faria, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Chemistry Institute (IQ), Araraquara, Brazil

    Henrique Antonio Mendonça Faria holds degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and a PhD in Sciences (2017), with specialisations in Teaching for Professional and Technological Education and Interdisciplinary Teaching of Science and Mathematics. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at São Paulo State University (Unesp), Institute of Chemistry, and a supervisor in the Professional Education Master’s Programme. His interests include complex systems, sociocultural approaches in education and active learning e-strategies.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8585-4440

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Publiceret

2025-07-22

Nummer

Årg. 12 Nr. 9 (2025)

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Articles

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