Co-Creating Inclusive Technology Enhanced Learning in the Health Professions: A Cross-Continental Partnership

This partnership between Warwick Medical School and Stellenbosch University is focused on improving how technology is used to support inclusive, ethical and globally relevant teaching in health education. Building on a three-week Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) exchange between postgraduate students from both universities earlier this year, the project connects lecturers, students and learning designers to co-create learning and teaching tools that reflect real world diversity. It fosters a space to share insights by working together to create teaching strategies that leverage diverse cultural, geographic, and disciplinary perspectives to address shared design challenges such as resource constraints, assessment loads, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

Through this collaboration, the team from both institutions are developing shared tools and resources that make technology-enhanced education more accessible and meaningful. They are paying close attention to things like how to use artificial intelligence responsibly, how to make digital learning feel more human and interactive, and how to involve students as active partners in shaping the future of their education. These activities are all done a with the goal of preparing the next generation of health professionals to learn and work across borders.

The work explores key questions about how digital tools are used in teaching, what gets in the way of adopting them, and how international collaboration can boost intercultural awareness and global citizenship. This project is about connection to share knowledge, challenge ongoing assumptions and building relationships through digital internationalisation. It is also about laying the groundwork for long-term partnerships, future funding opportunities and transnational educational pathways between the UK and South Africa.

One exciting outcome will be a jointly recognised "mini-credential" in technology-enhanced learning for health professions, which serves as a pilot for a much broader transnational education program. By working together, Warwick and Stellenbosch are emerging as pioneers in offering sustainable, high-quality education tailored to a variety of global contexts, reshaping how the next generation of health professionals are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.