Glenville State University (GSU) Department of Land Resources students in Forest Ecology course are collaborating with peers from three international partner universities in the Philippines and Malaysia through a new Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project.

The project involves 73 students across five courses from GSU, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). Together, they are studying invasive plants and exploring how these species impact ecosystems in different regions of the world.

Working in international groups, students are researching species profiles, building ecological concept maps, and sharing results through reports, presentations, and discussion boards. Along the way, they are also gaining cross-cultural experience by interacting with peers overseas.

“This project goes beyond the science—it’s about connecting students across borders and helping them see environmental challenges from new perspectives,” said Dr. Rico Gazal, Professor of Forestry and Project Lead.

The initiative reflects GSU’s growing commitment to global education and provides students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research while building cultural awareness and collaboration skills.