About IIGE

About IIGE

Kansai University has been at the forefront of COIL initiatives in Japan and has recently been awarded significant funding from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the Inter-University Exchange Project –Supporting Exchange with U.S. Universities Using COIL-style Education–. As the successful recipient of this funding, Kansai University is launching a new Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE). IIGE will act as the platform for COIL initiative in Japan for this MEXT project. One of its main goals is to promote exchange between students in Japan and U.S. to strengthen relations between the two countries.

IIGE Mission

The Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE) aims to build new ties and strengthen those existing between Japanese and higher education institutions all over the world. Using widely-available technology, students and faculty will work together across borders by applying the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) method. IIGE will serve to generate new partnerships by introducing this mode of virtual collaboration, in particular with higher education institutions in the United States through the U.S- Japan COIL Initiative.

IIGE Associates

IIGE is collaborating with the following associate partners in each aspect of the project.

Training Program & Quality Assurance

Innovative pedagogy using COIL method and supports for its implementation in class.

Materials and Webinar Development

Collaborating with each university conducting on site “know-how” training and seminars for faculty members interested in implementing COIL in their course. And students in the two countries then work together to complete assignments that meet shared learning objectives.

Content Development and Trouble Shooting

• Creating training content that meets the needs of Japanese institutions based on the COIL Faculty Guide developed by the SUNY COIL Center.
• Providing know-how consultation for faculty members at each university when problems occur during COIL projects.

Connecting Japan and the World

• Facilitating seminars and workshops that provide networking opportunities between institutions in Japan and the U.S.
• Consulting related to international education for U.S. institutions.

Language Learning Focused COIL (LLC)

• Coordination of Language Learning Focused COIL(LLC) infrastructure to provide enriched cross-cultural learning opportunities for both Japanese and U.S. students
• Engagement with institutional and organizational partners who wish to join the LLC practice

JAFSA : Japan Network for International Education
JAFSA is an association comprised of universities, individuals, and other entities including private firms as supporting members interested in facilitating the internationalization of education in Japan and around the world.

Connecting Institutions for COIL-related Projects

• A free directory, a resource and a connection hub open to all institutions engaged in COIL Virtual Exchange.
• A project of the COIL Virtual Exchange Foundation, Inc. (CVEF)

Latin American COIL
The Latin American COIL Network is an interdisciplinary network focused on the development of Collaborative Online International Learning methodology at a higher education level. It is being formed by Latin American universities and institutions around the world that are integrating COIL methodology in courses and wish to do research in this area.

OIE(Online International Education) Research Society
The OIE(Online International Education) Research Society will develop an educational model for blended mobility that is compatible with the infrastructure of higher education in Japan on a trial basis, and begin verifying the results through demonstration experiments, which will be made public. By 2026, the Society will establish itself as a research organization that plays a leading role in innovation in international educational practice in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.

Program Advancement

Improvement of student's mobility program through COIL practice and co-development of the next generation of international education beyond COIL.

Educational Quality Assurance and Credits Compatibility

Co-development of the Next Generation on International Education:

• UMAP-COIL Joint Honors Program

  
  The first program will be started in 2019 for about 2 weeks (enhanced with COIL virtual lectures by experts from Japan and the US, and virtual learning between students from both countries).

• UMAP-COIL Joint Advanced Placement (AP) Program

  
  High school students may enroll virtually through the COIL method in courses at US universities via UMAP. When they enter university these credits will be available for transfer through UCTS.

Development of international essential education programs

Crossing institutional boundaries through COIL/Virtual Exchange for university lecturers and students in Japan and abroad

This is a COIL program to be jointly owned and implemented by multiple universities participating from Japan and abroad rather than the standard COIL courses. Rather than opening up subjects owned by specific universities, we propose a co-ownership type of educational program where participating institutions become multiple owners.

Improving the ability of COIL instructors

COIL training for Main Facilitators selected by self-recommendation or other recommendation from participating universities

This is a training program for instructors to provide high quality educational activities for the global student population. The goal is not only to provide online and DX-based educational activities, but also to provide a high level of education, including the development of intercultural competence, which is at the core of COIL. IIGE (Kansai University) will provide training to J-MCP lecturers based on its experience in sharing knowledge from numerous COIL/VE cases. Those who have completed the training program can obtain certification through the digital certification.

Japan-Multilateral COIL/VE Project

Promotion

Dissemination of COIL method among higher education institutions in Japan and U.S.

US Counterpart and Mobility Support

Develops website for faculty members interested in doing COIL who are looking for a partner university.

COIL support

Utilizes university network to disseminate information about COIL to faculty members and universities not yet familiar with COIL.

Meet The Team

The IIGE team is a diverse team of faculty members and administrative staff. The team focuses on working collaboratively, drawing together each other's skills, experience and strengths to deliver the best possible COIL projects and beyond.

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  Director
  Takao Fujita, Ph.D.

  

  Director

  Takao Fujita, Ph.D.

  Dean, Division of International Affairs Vice President KANSAI UNIVERSITY

  Takao Fujita is a Professor at the Faculty of Letters. His current duties include Dean for Division of International Affairs, and Vice President for Kansai University. Recently he has taken the role as Director for the newly established Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE) under the Inter-University Exchange Project funded by MEXT, 2018-2022 ("COIL Plus Program to Develop Global Career Mindset"). His research field is ancient Chinese history, focusing on the history of the Qin and Han dynasties, and he is working on reconstructing the image of the ancient empire using primary sources such as wood slips and stelae inscriptions. In recent years, he has expanded his research field to include the formation of modern historiography in Japan and China, comparative study of wood slips in East Asia, and the history of military institutions.

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  Vice-Director/Principal Project Manager
  Keiko Ikeda, Ph.D.

  

  Vice-Director
  /Principal Project Manager

  Keiko Ikeda, Ph.D.

  Professor, Division of International Affairs KANSAI UNIVERSITY

  Keiko Ikeda is a Professor in the Division of International Affairs, and KU-COIL Coordinator at Kansai University. Recently, she has taken the role as the principal project manager for the Inter-University Exchange Project funded by MEXT, 2018-2022 ("COIL Plus Program to Develop Global Career Mindset"). Keiko is Vice-Director for the newly established organization at Kansai University, Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE). She has a Ph.D. from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, specializing in Japanese linguistics, foreign language education, and conversation analysis. Her interests in the international education field are internationalization at home, constructing active learning programs collaborating with universities overseas. Keiko also plays a vital role in another line of the on-going government-funded project, SUCCESS-Osaka Project (2017-2021). It promotes the employability of international students who have studied in Japan.

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  Specially Appointed Associate Professor for COIL Initiative
  Sajjad Pouromid, Ph.D.

  

  Specially Appointed Associate Professor for COIL Initiative

  Sajjad Pouromid, Ph.D.

  KANSAI UNIVERSITY

  Sajjad Pouromid has a Ph.D. in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) from Arak University, Iran, and a second Ph.D. in transformative education from Osaka University, Japan. Sajjad's current research interests include ethnomethodological and conversation analytic studies of social interaction with a focus on interactions taking place in technology-mediated learning environments. He is also interested in promoting internationalization in higher education through collaborative online international learning (COIL) and the use of ICT tools. He has taught COIL courses at Kansai University since 2016 collaborating with universities from Asia, Europe, and America.

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  Specially Appointed Associate Professor for COIL Initiative
  Andrew Sowter

  

  Specially Appointed Associate Professor for COIL Initiative

  Andrew Sowter

  Andy holds an MA in Applied Linguistics from Griffith University in Australia, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education with the University of Southern Queensland. His research interests lie in Project-based Learning, Student Engagement, and the use of technology in language learning. With 14 years of experience teaching at various universities in Japan, he has a particular interest in assisting students with their study abroad preparations. Additionally, Andy is a committed Climate Reality Leader, advocating for education and action against climate change. He recently joined Kansai University in April 2023, to promote COIL in the Division of International Affairs. He is enthusiastic about developing new international partnerships through COIL, and collaborating with his colleagues to further promote globalisation amongst Kansai University students.

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  Specially Appointed IIGE Coodinator
  Rob Kuipers

  

  Specially Appointed IIGE Coodinator

  Rob Kuipers

  KANSAI UNIVERSITY

  Rob holds a master's degree in global environmental studies from Kyoto University, with a specialization in environmental education. His research areas of interest are international education and education for sustainability. Rob has worked as a research assistant for various projects at universities and international organizations in Japan. Currently, he works as a specially appointed coordinator at IIGE, facilitating the coordination of the COIL initiative at Kansai University as well as various COIL, virtual exchange and mobility programs.

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  Specially Appointed IIGE Coodinator
  Mariya Byvakina

  

  Specially Appointed IIGE Coodinator

  Mariya Byvakina

  Mariya holds a master's degree in Political Science from Kobe University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in International Relations. Her research areas are international relations in Northeast Asia and the role of identity in foreign policy. Mariya has diverse work experience in international exchange and education and over 10 years of language teaching experience. Currently, she works as a specially appointed IIGE program coordinator, facilitating the coordination of the COIL initiative at Kansai University as well as various VE/COIL and mobility programs.

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