Research Group Steering Committee 2026-2027
Divinia Jithoo, South Africa
Dr Divinia Jithoo is a Specialist in International Education at Durban University of Technology, with extensive expertise in higher education internationalisation and curriculum development. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Studies from the University of the Western Cape and has a strong research focus on academic cross-border collaboration and the structural dynamics of global partnerships. Dr Jithoo is recognised for her work in International Virtual Engagement, especially Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), advancing inclusive internationalisation in higher education.
Osvaldo Succi, Brazil
Dr. Osvaldo Succi Junior is the COIL VE Coordinator at Centro Paula Souza. He oversees 110 COIL/virtual exchange projects each year, involving over 1,100 students. He is an expert in scaling sustainable virtual exchange programs within vocational education frameworks. Dr. Succi and his team connect COIL projects with local communities, NGOs, and industry partners to enhance students' workforce readiness. They employ strategies for integrating international collaboration with practical, career-focused learning outcomes in technical education settings.
Alena Anishchanka, Belgium
Dr. Alena Anishchanka is a COIL practitioner at the Department of English Linguistics and Literature at Antwerp University (Belgium). Her current research explores the cognitive and social dimensions of language learning and use, with a particular focus on statistical modeling of linguistic behavior. As a strong advocate of internationalization and digitalization in education she has been engaged in COIL projects since 2002 and has actively contributed to COIL Connect research initiatives since 2020.
Jon Rubin, USA
From 1975 to 2005, Jon Rubin was a practicing media artist. From 2002-11 he implemented his Cross-Cultural Video course in which students collaboratively co-produced videos with peers in other countries. He founded and directed the SUNY COIL Center from 2006-2017. In 2017, he created COIL Consulting and in 2020 COIL Connect, to support higher education institutions which are developing COIL initiatives. In 2022, Stylus Publishers released The Guide to COIL Virtual Exchange, which Rubin co-edited.
Marcela Maldonado Clavijo, Spain
Researcher and consultant in higher education internationalisation, with a focus on curriculum development and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). PhD candidate at the University of Granada with extensive experience leading COIL initiatives, training faculty, and advising institutions across Latin America and Europe. Active member of the COIL Connect Board of Directors, contributing to global efforts in advancing COIL methodology and fostering inclusive, intercultural virtual collaboration in higher education.
Daysi Rueda, Spain
Daysi Paola Rueda Cordones worked in International Education for seven years at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. She holds a master's degree in International Relations. Presently, Daysi is a Ph.D. student at the University of Cadiz – Spain. Her research focuses on the internationalization and digitalization of higher education institutions, and spin-offs.
Lindsey Kline, USA
Dr. Lindsey Kline works in the Office of International Programs at the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, Texas, where her efforts are dedicated to COIL and incorporating virtual exchange as an internationalization strategy. Lindsey has a dual title Ph.D. in Higher Education and Comparative and International Education from Penn State University. Her research interests include critical internationalization, global health education, and virtual exchanges and she currently serves as an advisory board member for the Community College International Education Research Initiative.
