THUAS expands global classrooms through virtual collaboration
2 September 2025
How can a student gain an international experience if they can’t go abroad? The answer at THUAS is Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
In 2025, more than 2,100 THUAS students are working with peers in 31 countries on joint projects that range from exploring the ethics of artificial intelligence with Canadian partners to addressing gender-based violence in conflict with Ukrainian universities. These initiatives, known collectively as Virtual Collaboration, allow students to develop essential intercultural and professional skills directly in their programmes.
Internationalization
This is not just innovation for innovation’s sake. As our Institutional Plan 2023–2028 emphasises, THUAS aims to prepare students as global citizens, able to work across cultures and disciplines. Our Internationalization Policy 2024–2029 makes COIL a cornerstone of Internationalization at home: helping to ensure that every student, regardless of financial or personal circumstances, gains meaningful international learning.
A sustainable approach
The results are visible. In the past two years, participation has grown by 500 students, while the number of lecturers involved has increased from 54 to more than 70. Ten degree programmes now guarantee a COIL experience for all students. Many projects run without external funding and are repeated annually, showing that this approach is sustainable.
“COIL transforms the classroom into a global laboratory”, says Virtual Collaboration Coordinator Reinout Klamer. “Students learn to collaborate across borders on pressing issues sustainability, justice, digital transformation and in doing so, they prepare for their professional future.”
Looking ahead, THUAS will continue to scale up its virtual collaborations. The ambition is clear: to make Virtual Collaboration part of the DNA of every programme, strengthening our position as a European leader in this field.
More information
Our latest infographics showcase how Virtual Collaboration at THUAS is growing: more students, more lecturers, and more global impact. Interested in collaboration? Contact Reinout Klamer at [email protected].