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JERSEY CITY, N.J. |  (NJCU) and Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico have launched a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project, uniting undergraduate business students from both institutions in a hands-on cross-border learning experience. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the longstanding academic relationship between the two universities and reflects NJCU's commitment to preparing students for success in an interconnected global economy.

The COIL project grew out of years of online collaboration between Professor John Donnellan of NJCU, a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar, and co-chair of NJCU’s Department of Management, and Dr. Martin Larsson of UDLAP. COIL is a pedagogical model that connects students in different countries through sustained, project-based collaboration embedded directly within their coursework — moving global business education from theory into practice.

This semester, NJCU students enrolled in Dr. Yi-Yu Chen's undergraduate course, Global Business, are working alongside UDLAP students from Dr. Larsson's course, Talent Management in Multinational Companies. Together, the students are developing collaborative projects centered on the real-world challenge of internationalizing a company operating in the United States or Mexico.

The projects require students to conduct rigorous analysis of the business environment using established analytical frameworks, including Michael Porter's foundational work on national competitiveness and business systems. Students then apply those insights to develop strategic recommendations for the internationalization of their chosen company — an exercise that bridges conceptual understanding with practical decision-making.

“COIL transforms the classroom into a global learning community — one where students don’t just study international business, they live it alongside peers from another culture and economy,” said Dr. Donnellan, who is also President of the NJCU University Senate.

The COIL model is increasingly recognized in higher education as an effective and accessible vehicle for internationalizing the curriculum without requiring students to travel abroad. By embedding cross-cultural collaboration within existing courses, NJCU and UDLAP are expanding access to meaningful global learning experiences for students of all backgrounds.

�鶹�� NJCU: 
�鶹�� is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey. On July 1, 2026, NJCU is expecting to complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.

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Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301