Baltimore , Maryland
June 25, 2023
June 25, 2023
June 28, 2023
Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering Division (TELPhE)
Diversity
9
10.18260/1-2--42740
https://peer.asee.org/42740
153
Dr. Tatiana Goris (tgoris@pittstate.edu) is an Associate Professor of Technology and Workforce Learning and a Coordinator for "Master of Science in Technology" graduate program at Pittsburg State University (Kansas). Her recent international research record includes completed Fulbright Specialist projects in Central Asia, and UniCen initiatives sponsored by the American Council for International Education.
Mr. Zeshan A. Shah, native of Pakistan, is a recent alumnus of Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, Kansas). In May 2023 he successfully completed “Master of Science in Technology” degree with an emphasis in Information Technology. As a part of his graduate study, Zeshan was personally involved in the described research project (as a team-leader and Graduate Teaching Assistant) helping to collect and to interpret unique multicultural student perspectives.
We are pleased to present results of the recent research study completed by the graduate students of American State University located in Kansas and their counterparts from the Central Asian State Institution from Kyrgyzstan through February–May, 2022. The study was a part of the UniCen Spring COIL Initiative funded by the by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and American Councils for International Education. The core purpose of UniCen virtual collaborations focuses on establishing substantive international engagement between higher education institutions in the U.S. and Central Asian regions. The suggested research topics in 2022 offered to jointly address five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) such as: clean water and sanitation; affordable clean energy; decent work and economic growth; responsible consumption and production; and climate action. The present study has focused on the fourth goal: responsible consumption and production. Sixteen international graduate students from the U.S. institution and six candidates from Kyrgyzstan had been combined into five groups where they worked on chosen topics using Zoom in a variety of formats. As a final step of their collaborations, five YouTube videos with reported findings had been produced by each team accordingly. There is no doubt that a such stimulating learning experience was new for all participants. The most challenges were caused by student diverse perspectives on the same topics, a significant time zone difference between Kansas, U.S. and Kyrgyzstan, substantial cultural variances and mental models. The present report focuses on the most significant dilemmas faced by the students when working on complicated topics in international teams.
Goris, T. V., & Shah, Z. A. (2023, June), Connecting Fulbright and UniCEN: Developing International Learning Experiences in Global Environment and a Sustainable Goals Project. Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--42740
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