We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of the 2026 “Global Learning, Sustainable Change: COIL Training for Higher Education Professionals Across Borders” program, which officially kicked off on March 7. This international professional development initiative brings together higher education professionals from diverse institutional and geographic contexts who share a commitment to advancing global learning through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
Facilitated by Prof. Marina Falasca, STAR Country Director for Argentina, the program is supported by a distinguished team of international COIL experts, including Elena Duvlou (Greece), Eduardo Verri Liberado (Brazil), and Irma Alejandra Coeto Calcáneo (Mexico). This year’s cohort represents a truly global community, with participants joining from 12 different countries: Argentina, El Salvador, Pakistan, Nepal, Japan, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Turkiye, Mexico, and Ethiopia.
Over the course of five weeks, this 25-hour online program aims to equip educators with the competencies needed to foster global citizenship and meaningfully integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences. Through a combination of synchronous sessions, guided activities, and collaborative exchanges, participants will explore how virtual international collaboration can enrich teaching and learning while addressing pressing global challenges.
The curriculum is structured around three core modules. The first module introduces the foundations of COIL and global learning, providing participants with an overview of the principles of virtual exchange, intercultural collaboration, and the pedagogical value of integrating global perspectives into the curriculum. The second module focuses on the integration of the SDGs in higher education and explores strategies for designing COIL activities that connect disciplinary learning with real-world sustainability challenges. The third module guides participants through the process of designing and planning their own COIL projects, including partnership development, collaborative task design, assessment strategies, and the ethical and responsible use of digital and AI-supported tools.
A highlight of this year’s program is the formal incorporation of the STAR framework for AI Use. These guidelines ensure that Artificial Intelligence—ranging from generative text to translation tools—is used as a tool for human flourishing rather than a replacement for critical reflection. Guided by the principles of Stewardship, Trust, Accountability, and Record-keeping, participants will learn to navigate the ethical, transparent, and socially responsible use of AI in their pedagogical designs.
The enthusiastic participation and rich exchange of perspectives during the orientation session marked a promising beginning for what we expect to be a dynamic and impactful learning journey. We look forward to seeing the innovative COIL project plans that emerge from this diverse group of global educators as they work toward a more sustainable and connected future.