Keywords:
Design Thinking, virtual exchange, Sustainable Development Goals, intercultural dialogue, cross-cultural collaboration
Abstract
This practice report explores the integration of Design Thinking (DT) into virtual exchange (VE) projects to enhance students’ engagement with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite increasing interest in VE and SDGs, there is a lack of research on effective DT practices in VE contexts. This paper fills this gap by identifying best practices: integrating intercultural dialogue principles, fostering multicultural collaboration, and assigning coaches to student teams. These strategies were implemented in a VE involving three institutions across the Middle East, North Africa, and the U.S. Results from both a quantitative survey and qualitative reflections indicate that the combination of DT, intercultural dialogue, and effective coaching not only facilitated students’ understanding and engagement with global issues related to SDGs but also enhanced their professional skills such as creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. This paper contributes best practices for educators aiming to leverage DT for SDGs in VE settings.
Corrigendum (published on 2025/07/08): Authorship Correction.
Author Biographies
Nadia Cheikhrouhou, Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Béja
Nadia Cheikhrouhou is a lecturer at the Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Béja in Tunisia. She teaches entrepreneurship and management. She has been implementing virtual exchange projects in her institution since 2018.
Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi, An-Najah National University
Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi is the director of Virtual Exchange and Innovative Partnerships, Head of US Relations and Coordinator of Debate Education at An-Najah National University. She founded Virtual Exchange (VE) and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) at An-Najah National University in the Occupied West Bank, solidifying the university's leadership in equitable VE practices.
Islem Megdiche, Higher Institute of Technological Studies of Béja
Islem Megdiche is a visiting researcher at the University of Manitoba, Canada and a lecturer in mechanical engineering at the higher Institute of Technological studies of Beja, Tunisia. She has been coordinating virtual exchange programs since 2021.
Mahmoud Assad, An-Najah National University
Dr Mahmoud Asaad is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering who teaches many basic and
specialised courses in applied mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, and internal combustion engines. He was the head of the mechanical engineering department at An Najah National University (2020-2023). During that period, he led the team that prepared the new curriculum for the automotive engineering branch in mechanical engineering at ANNU and new collaborations with the local companies in the automotive industry. He published several journal articles and conference papers related to thermal, automotive and transport engineering. Dr Mahmoud was a visiting researcher at the University of Paris Saclay, France, eDF France and the Warsaw University of Technology in Poland. During these visits, he also participated in many conferences and workshops in the United Kingdom, Poland, and France in the fields of specialization and the fields of communication, leadership, and creativity. Dr Mahmoud holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, specialising in combustion and thermo-fluid sciences from the University of Manchester in 2014. He also supervised the IMechE branch at An-Najah National University since 2017.
Tracey Carbonetto, Pennsylvania State University
Tracey Carbonetto is an Associate Teaching Professor of Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University and the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree offered at her campus. She has participated in several virtual exchange projects supported by Penn State’s EDGE (Experiential Digital Global Exchange) program. Carbonetto earned a certificate in COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) through Florida International University.
Published
2024-12-12 — Updated on 2025-07-08
Copyright (c) 2024 Nadia Cheikhrouhou, Alia Gilbrecht-Hindi, Islem Megdiche, Mahmoud Assad, Tracey Carbonetto
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