Imagine a classroom that spans continents, where students from the Netherlands, Uganda, Ghana, Eswatini, and India mutually work together on issues like migration, globalization, decision-making and livelihoods—all through the lens of sustainability. Although this may sound like a futuristic dream, this is the exciting reality of the ‘Worlding Classroom’ project, coordinated by dr. Juliette Alenda-Demoutiez from Nijmegen School of Management (NSM) at Radboud University.
What is this project all about?
During the project, students from Radboud University and four international partners come together in online ‘Worlding Classrooms’ where they are offered a theme related to the academics’ field of expertise, with the overarching theme of sustainability. Students can select the themes they prefer, and are then formed into mixed groups made from the different partnering universities in several countries (the Netherlands, Uganda, Ghana, Eswatini, India). In this way, they all bring their unique perspectives to the chosen theme and collaborate on a joined solution. The main goal of this project is to develop a student-centric approach to large societal issues, going beyond the geographical fragmentation of our ways of teaching and our student’s learning.
The 4 I’s: Innovative, International, Inclusive, and Interdisciplinary
This project is a great example of innovative, inclusive, and interdisciplinary education at Nijmegen School of Management (NSM). By addressing global issues through international collaboration, this project aims to break down geographical barriers in education. Juliette Alenda-Demoutiez believes that "teaching practices often remain geographically fragmented. This creates biased problematizations of major global societal questions, which are hampering the effective learning of students " The Worlding Classrooms project seeks to change that narrative, fostering a more inclusive and global understanding of complex issues. As she rightly puts it, this project is not just about education; it's about creating a global community of learners and thinkers.
The Excitement Builds
The expectations are high, but so is the excitement. Juliette anticipates challenges but is eager to witness how students will appreciate this international experience. As she puts it, "It is rare for us to be able to innovate in terms of didactics and the way we teach." The project shifts the role of lecturers from traditional teachers to facilitators, creating a unique learning environment where students explore issues globally, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.
The Promising Start
The digital kick-off session, which took place on Thursday 9 November 2023, brought together lecturers and students for a lively introduction to the project. The enthusiasm in the virtual room was palpable. The entire team, including key speakers like Stewart Paul from Abundance Malawi, came together to share their passion for this innovative approach to education.
The session highlighted the need to transform academic practices. All the lecturers emphasized the importance of co-creation, emphasizing that global issues require global perspectives. Lies Verberk-de Jonge, the ICT support, played a crucial role in overcoming some software hurdles, showcasing the collaborative spirit that defines this project.
The Future Outlook
As the Worlding Classrooms project unfolds, the expected results are twofold. Students will gain a broader worldview, learning from different perspectives and applying these insights to their studies and future careers. For the lecturers, it's an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and education, fostering a new era of collaboration in academia.
In the words of Juliette: "It will be a challenge for everyone to work in such an international and multidisciplinary setting in an online joint project with all the constraints that may come with it, but we are all very motivated to experiment together!"
The Worlding Classrooms project is not just breaking down geographical barriers; it's showcasing new opportunities to approach education. As the virtual doors of classrooms swing open across continents, the possibilities are endless.
Participants in the Worlding Classroom
The Worlding Classroom project boasts an impressive team of lecturers and students from Radboud University, as well as international partners from Europe, India, and Africa. The project is coordinated by Juliette Alenda-Demoutiez, assistant Professor at the Economics department at the Nijmegen School of Management.
Joining her in this project from Radboud University are Dr. Lothar Smith, Dr. Maria Kauffmann, Dr. Christina Inoué, and Dr. Olexiy Kyrychenko, who are working across the departments of Economics, Political Science and Geography, Planning and Environment within NSM. They are joined by Dr. Mathew Varghese - Mahatma Gandhi University (India), Dr. Charles Masembe - Makerere University (Uganda), Dr. Sizwe Mabaso - University of Eswatini (Eswatini), and Dr. Francis Jarawura - SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (Ghana).