Over spring break, graduate students and faculty from Old Dominion University traveled to Scotland as part of the Global Higher Education Systems course. Led by Dr. Charles Mathies, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Workforce Development, the study abroad program offered participants an in-depth look at Scotland’s higher education system.
The trip was co-facilitated by Dr. Kim Bullington, Assistant Professor, and Dr. John Nunery, Professor, both in the Department of Educational Leadership & Workforce Development.
The course examines current developments in higher education systems worldwide, with a focus on Scotland, as they relate to the development of higher education systems in the world today.
The course consists of two interrelated components: (1) on-campus class sessions and
discussions designed to provide a background and framework for comparison of higher
education systems in Scotland and the U.S. and (2) a study abroad portion that enables students to examine both the culture and several different higher education institutions in Scotland.
University Visits
The group visited three major universities: the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Napier University.
Dr. Gabriella Rodolico, Senior Lecturer in Education (Science Education), served as the ODU’s team host while at University of Glasgow. At the University of Glasgow, students met with the Learning Innovation Support Unit (LISU) and the Academic & Digital Development (ADD) teams. John Kerr, Assistant Director of Digital Education, gave an overview of LISU’s role in enhancing teaching practices through technology. The unit supports the university’s MOOCs, micro-credentials, expert tracks, and specializations.
During a Q&A session, students explored topics such as the use of AI in education and innovative course mapping tools. The team demonstrated a color-coded program that assists faculty with course design and planning. Additionally, Dr. Jack Lee, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education, led a discussion on the British higher education system, offering insights into its structure and policies.
At Edinburgh Napier University, the ODU team met over lunch with Dr. Sam Illingworth, Associate Professor, Department of Learning and Teaching Enhancement (DLTE), and the DLTE team. This session provided an opportunity for ODU students to share their research interests and learn about DLTE’s ongoing initiatives. The group also discussed emerging trends and opportunities in higher education at the university.
Through these immersive experiences, ODU students deepened their understanding of Scotland’s higher education landscape and broadened their global academic perspectives.
Dr. Kim Bullington, an experienced researcher in military student success, shared insights during a session at Edinburgh Napier titled A Pathway to Completion: Student Veterans Pursuing Engineering Degrees. She emphasized the importance of learning communities in supporting veteran students’ academic success and easing their transition into college life.
According to Dr. Kim Bullington, “Understanding the nuances of different higher education systems provided real life experiences for the students. They were treated not as students but as colleagues, which allowed them to immerse themselves more into the experience by asking questions about what it was like to work and study in Scotland. They were also able to talk with international students studying in Scotland, which I believe will help them be more empathetic to international students who study in the US. The group also was able to spend time getting to know the higher education faculty better, which is always a bonus as it allows us to be more humanized to the students.”
The discussions on comparative education were co-led by Dr. Mathies and Dr. Aliandra Barlete, a Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Barlete provided an overview of higher education systems in South America, while Dr. Mathies focused on educational structures in Europe.