Two UTCSW faculty members are spearheading innovative Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects in the 2024-2025 academic year. Dr. Mary Gitau and Dr. Phyllis Thompson, along with Distinguished Lecturer of Italian Dr. Renée D’Elia-Zunino, are aiming to enhance global learning and foster international partnerships, bringing diverse perspectives into the classroom and promoting intercultural dialogue. Each project aligns with specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing UT’s commitment to global citizenship and social responsibility.
Dr. Mary Gitau, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, and Associate Professor of Practice in the College of Social Work, is partnering with Maasai Mara University in Kenya. Her COIL project titled “Global Health and Well-being: Challenges and Trends” will explore critical issues in global health and promote well-being across diverse communities. This project aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by addressing health challenges, fostering understanding of diverse health contexts, and advocating for improved health outcomes globally.
Dr. Phyllis Thompson, Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Social Work, is working with Turkana University College in Kenya. Her project, “Social Work Students Unite: Transcending Borders and Barriers to Improve Human Well-being through Assessment and Effective Interventions,” will bring together social work students from different continents to share knowledge and strategies for improving human well-being. This collaboration supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and advances SDG 4: Quality Education, fostering intercultural learning and mutual respect. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by promoting equitable access to social services and addressing disparities in well-being.
Thompson is also collaborating with Hope Africa University in Bujumbura, Burundi, to integrate COIL in the course “Foundations of Trauma.” Social work students from both universities will examine dynamics of trauma and neuro-biopsychosocial consequences of survivors. Burundi has a long history of civil war (1993-2005), and students will have an opportunity to learn and understand the impact of trauma on a global scale. This collaboration also supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and advances SDG 4: Quality Education, fostering intercultural learning and mutual respect. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by promoting equitable access to social services and addressing disparities in well-being.
Dr. Renée D’Elia-Zunino, Distinguished Lecturer of Italian in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, is collaborating with the University of Palermo in Italy. Her project, “Vita Quotidiana – benessere e felicità/Everyday Life – Well-being and Happiness,” will delve into the cultural nuances of well-being and happiness, enriching students’ understanding of Italian culture and language. By examining well-being and quality of life, this project supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education, fostering intercultural learning and mutual respect.
COIL projects at UT offer unique opportunities for students to engage in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges, develop global competencies, and collaborate on real-world issues with peers from around the world. These initiatives are part of UTK’s commitment to internationalizing the curriculum and preparing students for success in a globalized world.
For more information on COIL at UTK, please visit the Center for Global Engagement website.
