We are pleased to report that all planned capacity-building activities as part of the “Global Graduates through Virtual Exchange” project have been successfully completed. The following activities were conducted to enhance global competence, promote knowledge exchange, and support the development of virtual exchange (VE) in the field of language education. These activities also aimed to foster long-term international partnerships between higher education institutions in the UK and Turkey.
- Academic Staff Capacity Building Activity at Newcastle University: A 2-day academic staff mobility event took place at Newcastle University, focusing on key themes such as interculturality, global citizenship, multilingual pedagogies, and digital skills development. Two staff members from Gazi University participated in the event, where they explored how virtual exchange can improve language teachers’ skills and competences, ultimately enhancing graduates’ employability. The visit also helped strengthen the partnership between Gazi University and Newcastle University, laying the foundation for future collaborative activities.
- Academic Staff Capacity Building Activity at Gazi University: A one-day seminar was organized for English Language Teaching (ELT) staff at Gazi University, aimed at exploring how virtual exchange can be integrated into the curriculum. The seminar provided academic staff with increased awareness of VE and its potential to support the development of graduate skills. This activity was pivotal in identifying the key perspectives of staff on how VE can be leveraged to enhance the curriculum and the employability of graduates.
- Training at Gazi University on VE for Internationalisation Officers: A training session was conducted for internationalisation officers at Gazi University, focusing on how virtual exchange can serve as an “internationalisation at home” practice. The training aimed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to support instructors in designing virtual exchange programs, finding international partners, and embedding VE into the curriculum. This training has significantly contributed to the institution’s understanding of VE as an important tool for international collaboration and has equipped them with the capacity to better support global engagement initiatives.
- Workshop for Pre- and In-Service Teachers (Online): A one-day online workshop was successfully organized by ADNE for pre-service and in-service English language teachers from socio-culturally diverse regions of Turkey. The workshop focused on the integration of virtual exchange into English language courses and the teaching skills required to effectively implement VE. The workshop attracted over 100 participants, including 50 pre-service teachers and 50 in-service teachers from various regions of Turkey and the UK. This event promoted inclusivity and ensured the widest possible participation, with a special emphasis on the benefits of virtual exchange in fostering intercultural competence and global learning.
- These activities have been instrumental in building the capacity of both academic staff and language teachers, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to integrate virtual exchange into their teaching practices. The completion of these capacity-building initiatives marks a significant step in achieving the project’s goals of enhancing global competence and promoting international collaboration between Gazi University, Newcastle University, and educational institutions in Turkey and the UK.
