MUSCAT : The Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS), in collaboration with the University of Michigan-Dearborn, has launched a pioneering international academic initiative in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) as part of both institutions’ efforts to strengthen cross-border academic collaboration and provide innovative global learning opportunities for their students.

The launch ceremony was attended on behalf of the Modern College of Business and Science by Dr. Moosa Al Kindi, Dean of the College, along with his assistants, Dr. Arwa Al Hinai, Deputy Head of the Department of General Education and Academic Lead of the initiative, and Dr. Sauda Al Marhoobi, Lecturer in the Department of Business and Economics. Representing the University of Michigan-Dearborn in this joint academic initiative were Mr. Scott Riggs, Director of Global Engagement in the Office of the Provost, and Dr. Miranda Mercedes, Faculty Director of Global Engagement and Lecturer in Business Economics and Finance.

The launch featured an overview of the initiative’s framework and strategic objectives, alongside discussions on implementation procedures, timelines, and mechanisms for collaboration between both institutions to ensure the achievement of the intended learning outcomes. The meeting also emphasized the importance of leveraging modern technologies and digital platforms to create an interactive learning environment that enables students to collaborate and exchange knowledge and experiences across cultures.

This pioneering initiative represents an advanced educational approach aimed at broadening students’ horizons across various fields of study through joint academic activities and collaborative projects undertaken by students from the Modern College of Business and Science and the University of Michigan-Dearborn under the direct supervision of academic staff from both institutions.

The initiative is expected to enrich curricula, enhance teaching and assessment methods, and strengthen key competencies such as intercultural communication, international teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, in alignment with contemporary global trends in higher education and the evolving demands of the international job market.

Both institutions affirmed that this step marks the beginning of a promising academic partnership that could expand in the future to include broader areas of academic and research collaboration, as well as the exchange of expertise and knowledge. This partnership is expected to further enhance the quality of higher education and contribute to preparing graduates equipped with the competencies and skills needed to succeed in an interconnected and rapidly changing global environment.