Connect globally through COIL & Virtual Exchange. Discover how to internationalise your courses through Virtual Exchange, COIL and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). Learn how to build international teaching partnerships, connect with colleagues from across the Ulysseus European University and prepare collaborative educational projects for the Ulysseus Seed Fund Call 2026.
Virtual Exchange, COIL & Blended Intensive Programmes
Internationalisation is no longer an optional addition to university teaching—it is becoming an essential component of modern higher education. But how can lecturers create meaningful international learning experiences without requiring students to travel abroad?
This online workshop series introduces academic staff to Virtual Exchange (VE), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) as practical approaches to embedding international collaboration directly into existing courses.
Organised by the Technical University of Košice (TUKE) as part of the Global Mindset @TUKE initiative, the series supports the commitment to strengthening internationalisation and expanding opportunities for collaborative teaching across Ulysseus European University.
The workshops will be led by an internationally recognised by Robert O’Dowd – esteemed international expert in Virtual Exchange (VE), COIL and educational innovation, who also serves as a Full Professor of English Studies.
Beyond introducing the key principles of COIL and Virtual Exchange, the series will help participants identify potential teaching partners within the Ulysseus European University and develop ideas for future international educational collaborations.
The workshops are also intended for participants from Ulysseus partner who aim to develop and launch their COIL project, possibly funded by Ulysseus Seed Fund Call 2026.
By participating in this workshop series, you will:
This workshop series is intended for:
📅 Date: 3 September 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 CET
Discover the foundations of Virtual Exchange (VE), COIL and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs). Learn how these approaches differ from other forms of online teaching and explore their benefits for students, educators and internationalisation.
📅 Date: 17 September 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 CET
Learn how to plan and structure a successful international collaboration, from finding common objectives with your partner institution to designing engaging collaborative activities and supporting students throughout the exchange.
📅 Date: 24 September 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 11:30 CET
Explore real-life case studies and practical solutions to the most common organisational and pedagogical challenges in COIL, Virtual Exchange and BIPs. Gain practical tips to ensure inclusive, sustainable and successful international collaboration.
Register for the online workshop series on virtual Exchange, COIL & Blended Intensive Programmes
