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Tackling Global Health Challenges

Nottingham Trent University and New Mansoura University collaborate on a COIL project, uniting students to tackle global health challenges through international teamwork and knowledge exchange.

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and New Mansoura University (NMU) in Egypt have joined forces on a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project, funded by the British Council, to explore Solutions to Urgent Global Health Challenges. Bringing together around 100 bioscience and medical students from both institutions, the initiative encouraged international teamwork and knowledge exchange.

Students worked in mixed teams to develop innovative solutions to pressing global health issues, including antimicrobial resistance, neurodegenerative diseases, and the impact of the microbiome on health. Each team produced an output, such as a presentation, video, or leaflet, that showcase their proposed solutions. A prize of £500 was awarded for the most outstanding submission.

Participants collaborated through a combination of live online sessions on Microsoft Teams and asynchronous tasks on Padlet, with academic mentors from both universities providing guidance throughout the process.

The project concluded with an online showcase event, where students presented their work and shared insights gained from collaborating with peers from across the globe. While only one team claimed the top prize, all participants benefited from developing essential skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, project management, and presentation.

Both universities see this collaboration as a valuable opportunity to strengthen international ties and address global health challenges through collaborative online learning. The partnership continues to foster cross-cultural engagement, equipping students with the skills needed for a globally connected future.

Click on the links below to find more project output:

This project has provided NTU students with a unique opportunity to collaborate internationally with Egyptian students to tackle problems with real-world relevance to both nations. Our students have benefitted enormously in developing a wide range of employability skills (including project management, leadership, collaboration and communication), enhancing their intercultural awareness, and deepening their appreciation of global health challenges and how we can work together, across continents to develop potential solutions.

Carl Nelson, Principal Lecturer, Department of Biosciences, School of Science & Technology

Interested in partnering with us for a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project? Register your interest here and we will get back to you soon.