Participants of the project «Global Understanding» received certificates of the international standard
MAY 25, 2015 – IFNUL is the first and the only university in Ukraine which successfully implemented pilot project for acquiring the unique experience of communication using new information technologies, launched within an international universities initiative «Global Academic Initiatives» in Ukraine.
A new training course «Global Understanding» was introduced for the first time in Ukraine at the Faculty of International Relations in collaboration with the University of East Carolina (USA) for students of various disciplines. The aim of the course is to deepen the knowledge of social and cultural characteristics of the countries and peoples of the world and to improve skills of international communication.
12 Ukrainian students, who demonstrated a high level of foreign language skills and personal characteristics, such as open-mindedness, communication skills, the ability to work in a tandem and in a team and a desire to learn new things, in the competitive selection process, participated in the project “Global Understanding” during February 17–May 21, 2015.
The main component of the course is a direct discussion session of IFNUL students with their colleagues from other countries from three continents (North America, Africa and Asia) in terms of real time (using video conference and chat). In the process of project implementation, IFNUL cooperates with three partner universities: East Carolina University (USA), Jimma University (Ethiopia) and Shandong University (China).
“After online communication with their American colleagues, students of the Faculty of International Relations had a unique opportunity to share their cultural experience with the students of Shandong University in China – the third of five Chinese universities, included to the top hundred of universities in the world”– said Svitlana Pyk, Associate Professor of International Relations and Diplomatic Service.
Within the framework of the course «Global Understanding» IFNUL students interacted with their Chinese counterparts in various topics – university life, family and cultural traditions, religion, stereotypes and prejudices, value of life etc. All discussions were conducted in such forms as online conference, chat, e-mail and Facebook. The final stage of the course, as the two previous stages, was finished with presentations of joint projects of Ukrainian and Chinese students.
Associate Professor from the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy Svitlana Pyk, Petro Kuzyk and Assistant Professor Nataliya Shalena took part in the implementation of the pilot project «Global Understanding».
On May 21, 2015 during the celebration of completion of the course, Ihor Byk, Acting Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, presented certificates of the international standard to the participants of the project.