Strengthening Global Classrooms: McMaster, University of Amsterdam, and USFQ Launch a New Cultural Intelligence Initiative

Building on a 30-year partnership with the University of Amsterdam and an evolving collaboration with Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ)—a key partner in McMaster’s Virtual Global Learning (VGL) program—the Office of International Affairs (OIA) contributed to a successful joint application for the Partnered in Teaching and Learning grant, led by the Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, in partnership with the MacPherson Institute. The project is led by Dr. Michael Wong, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and Instructor in the Honours Health Sciences Program. 

This initiative extends the foundation laid by a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) partnership between Dr. Wong and Professor Nergiz Turgut from USFQ. In this ongoing collaboration, students from McMaster’s neuroscience courses work with peers in Ecuador to develop and pitch neuroscience-based solutions to an international panel of judges. Now offered annually, this COIL opportunity has enabled students to engage in cross-cultural collaboration and problem-solving from a global perspective. 

The new project, “Culturally Connected: Unlocking Cultural Intelligence with a Digital Online Module,” responds to challenges observed during past COIL offerings. “Despite asking students to reflect on their own cultural assumptions and biases each year, we noticed that many group projects continued to reflect predominantly Western perspectives,” explains Dr. Wong. 

To address this, the project team will develop a digital module designed to build cultural intelligence among students and support more equitable and inclusive collaboration in multicultural learning environments. Inspired by the Cultural Intelligence Workshops, hosted by the OIA and facilitated by Guido de Wilde of the University of Amsterdam, the module will focus on three key outcomes: 

1. Introducing students to the four core elements of cultural intelligence—Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action. 
2. Deepening understanding of how culture influences communication, collaboration, and group dynamics. 
3. Equipping students with practical strategies to foster inclusion and navigate cultural differences in international academic settings. 

“We are excited about this initiative as it directly advances Goal 1 of McMaster’s Global Engagement Strategy—building a values-based, globally engaged community that promotes intercultural and cross-cultural competence,” says Dr. Amira El Masri, Director of the OIA. “This marks an important step toward more inclusive, culturally informed teaching and learning across borders.” 

Special thanks to the Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning, and MacPherson Institute for their support, and congratulations to all partners on this impactful collaboration. 

Project Team:  

Project lead: Michael Wong- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences; Instructor, Honours Health Sciences Program.  

Co-applicants:  

Amira El Masri – Director Office of International Affairs, McMaster University 

Paul Leegsma – Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects, Office of International Affairs, McMaster University  

Nergiz Turgut – Professor College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador) 

Guido de Wilde- Manager, International Student Affairs – Global Student Experience & Engagement Student Services – Office of International Student Affairs, University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands)