From June 16 to 19, 2026, Sumy State University hosted the COIL Forum of the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities (AUU) titled “Virtual International Collaboration and COIL as a Tool for the Internationalization of Higher Education.” Associate Professor Antonina Biesiedina of the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology participated in the event.
The forum brought together more than 200 participants, including representatives of Ukrainian universities, international offices, academic staff, researchers, students, educational administrators, and international partners. Over four days, participants discussed the implementation of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), virtual academic mobility, the internationalization of educational programs, academic recognition of learning outcomes, and the development of sustainable institutional models for international online collaboration.
The forum was moderated by Alla Krasulia, PhD in Education, Associate Professor, and Head of the International Relations Office at Sumy State University. During the opening session, Rector Vasyl Karpusha and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Ivan Kozii emphasized that the greatest value of COIL lies not only in the number of implemented projects but also in the systematic integration of international online collaboration into the university’s academic environment.
One of the keynote presentations was delivered by international expert Filmor J. Murillo, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for International Relations and Partnerships at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (Philippines). In his presentation, “Breaking Boundaries: Harnessing Collaborative Online International Learning Virtual Exchange (COIL VE) for Equity and Inclusivity in Higher Education,” he demonstrated how COIL and virtual international exchange can promote equitable access, inclusivity, and global learning opportunities in higher education.
Forum participants emphasized that COIL has the potential to become one of the key practical tools for the internationalization of Ukrainian higher education, particularly under the challenges of wartime, limited physical mobility, and the need to maintain sustainable international partnerships.
The COIL Forum of the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities at Sumy State University served as an important platform for sharing best practices, professional reflection, and developing a common vision for the future of virtual international collaboration in Ukraine. Throughout the four-day program, participants explored topics ranging from strategic planning and institutional management to practical pedagogical approaches for implementing COIL initiatives across various academic disciplines.
The forum concluded with an invitation to continue cooperation through the development of new COIL courses, the establishment of new international partnerships, the launch of inter-university initiatives, and the creation of a sustainable ecosystem for the further advancement of COIL in Ukraine.
