Glenville State University is pleased to announce the publication of Invasive Plants of West Virginia, USA; the Philippines, and Malaysia: A Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Project, an international collaborative book highlighting student and faculty work on invasive plant species across three countries.

The book is the culmination of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative involving students and faculty from Glenville State University, the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB CFNR), Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM).

As part of the project, GSU students enrolled in NRMT 201 – Forest Ecology during Fall 2025 researched and wrote about different invasive plant species found in West Virginia. They collaborated with students from the Philippines and Malaysia, who examined invasive plants in their respective countries. Working in international teams, students compared invasive species and their ecological impacts, examined ecological relationships, developed concept maps, and explored management strategies across different ecosystems and regions of the world.

“This publication represents the successful integration of international collaboration, forest ecology, and student-centered learning,” said Dr. Rico Gazal, Professor of Forestry at Glenville State University and Contributing Editor of the book. “The project provided students with an opportunity to learn from one another while examining a global environmental issue from multiple perspectives.”

The book showcases the work of undergraduate students and faculty mentors and demonstrates how virtual international partnerships can create meaningful educational experiences beyond the traditional classroom. Through the COIL model, students gained experience in research, scientific communication, intercultural collaboration, and global environmental awareness.

The book also highlights the academic partnerships among GSU, UPLB CFNR, SLSU, and UTHM and reflects their shared commitment to international education, research collaboration, and experiential learning.

Contributors include faculty and students from all four partner institutions, with GSU faculty and staff serving key roles in the book’s development. Dr. Melody Wise served as a chapter author, Dr. Rico Gazal as Contributing Editor, and Melissa Gish as Production Designer.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1953033210

For additional information about the project, contact: Dr. Rico M. Gazal, Professor of Forestry,
Department of Land Resources, Glenville State University.