Project summary
This Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project brought together students from six universities across the United Kingdom, Nigeria and India to explore sustainable building materials developed from waste products. Working in international teams, students investigated how agricultural residues, industrial by-products and other waste materials could be repurposed for construction applications. The project promoted intercultural learning, global collaboration, sustainability awareness and the development of engineering solutions to real-world challenges.
The Sustainable Building Materials Development Using Waste Products project was a COIL initiative that brought together students and academics from six universities across the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and India. The project aimed to provide students with an authentic international learning experience while addressing a global sustainability challenge through engineering innovation.
Participating institutions included Robert Gordon University (UK), University of Benin (Nigeria), Ambrose Alli University (Nigeria), Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad (India), Vellore Institute of Technology (India), and Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria. Students worked collaboratively in international teams using online platforms to investigate sustainable approaches to developing building materials from waste products.
The Challenge
The construction industry is one of the world's largest consumers of natural resources and producers of waste. The project challenged students to explore how agricultural residues, industrial by products, and other waste materials could be repurposed into sustainable construction materials. Through this challenge, students were encouraged to develop innovative solutions that contribute to circular economy principles and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Outcomes and Impact
The project provided students with opportunities to engage with peers from different cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. Participants reported improvements in teamwork, communication, problem solving, and cross cultural understanding. The collaboration enabled students to appreciate how engineering challenges and sustainable development priorities can vary across different regions while also identifying common global concerns.
The project culminated in an international sustainability competition that showcased innovative student solutions aligned with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption and production, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.
Lessons Learned
The project demonstrated that COIL can be an effective approach for developing global engineering competencies while addressing complex sustainability challenges. Key success factors included structured international teamwork, clear project guidance, regular academic support, and the effective use of digital collaboration tools. The experience highlighted the value of integrating international perspectives into engineering education and preparing students to work in increasingly global and multidisciplinary environments. These findings align with broader research undertaken within the project, which identified COIL as a powerful mechanism for fostering cross-cultural competencies, global awareness, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Project Type
Student collaboration project, extra-curricular.
Duration
12 weeks.
Assessment
Ungraded.
Sustainable Development Goals
This project contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting international collaboration, sustainable engineering innovation, and responsible resource use. Students worked across borders to develop sustainable building materials from waste products, supporting circular economy principles and climate action. The project enhanced global learning and intercultural understanding while fostering partnerships between universities, industry, and professional engineering bodies. Through collaborative problem solving, students explored and provided engineering solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this project, contact Judith or Chioma by email: