What does Northern Lights College (NLC) and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) have in common? International collaboration!
Through the Collaborative Online International Learning — Virtual Exchange (COIL-VE) joint training activity, NLC’s Criminology instructor, Jodi Campbell, and Dr. Linda Mohammed, Director of the Criminology Department at UTT, were given the opportunity to connect, train, and work together on creating a collaborative project. COIL-VE, administered by Langara College, is a program that creates a multicultural learning environment to link students and faculty members in different countries.
Participants in COIL-VE are paired and taught how to collaborate through this partnership, Dr. Mohammed and Jodi have developed a project that will run for the first time in the coming winter semester. The project, which will center around the topic of Policing of the Mentally Ill, allows students from NLC and UTT to work together through virtual connection to complete the project with their own innovative touch.
Dr. Mohammed, with the help of grant funding, came to NLC from October 11 to 28 to work with Jodi on the development and eventual implementation of their shared project.
“[Jodi] and I have been actively engaged in planning and development of our [COIL-VE] project, which will be undertaken . . . by students in January–April 2023. In addition to this, Jodi arranged a series of activities for me while here, inclusive of a guest lecture, tours with the Courts and the RCMP and even a police ride-along,” says Dr. Mohammed of her time spent in the Peace Region. “I also got the opportunity to visit the Dawson Creek Campus, an initiative organized by the International Office personnel, which I got a tour of the facility, met with key faculty and administrative staff, and even got to engage with a few international students.”
Jodi shares Dr. Mohammed’s excitement for the collaboration and delivery of their project.
“Being involved with this innovative and exciting educational partnership has been a highlight of my career at Northern Lights College,” she says. “It has been an honour to host Dr. Mohammed and share with her what our college and community has to offer. I look forward to sharing our collaborative project with students!”
Dr. Mohammed’s presence here is a great example of the many options available for students and faculty to have their own international experience. Through our International Department, funding opportunities can be accessed to explore the vast international community we are part of.
Learn more about international opportunities by reaching out to Tristan de Waard at tdewaard@nlc.bc.ca.