On 5 March 2026, Tetyana Mayboroda, Associate Professor at the Oleg Balatsky Department of Management of Sumy State University, delivered a guest lecture as part of the Global Virtual Class “International Relations and Global Leadership.” The class is organised by Professor Dipra Jha of the Carson College of Business at Washington State University (USA), a long-standing partner in joint COIL modules and an Honorary Doctor of Sumy State University.
The lecture focused on Cultural Intelligence (CQ) as a key competence for effective interaction in an international environment. During the session, participants discussed why the ability to understand cultural differences, adapt behaviour, and build intercultural communication is becoming an essential skill for future leaders in a globalised world.
The lecture introduced the concept of cultural intelligence and its four dimensions: cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and behavioural. Special attention was also given to the eight dimensions of intercultural interaction outlined in Erin Meyer’s “Culture Map”, which help explain differences in communication styles, decision-making, attitudes toward time, trust, and leadership across cultures.
The session also included numerous cases drawn from the lecturer’s own experience in international academic cooperation, allowing students to see how cultural differences manifest in real situations: from working in international project teams to conducting negotiations and building successful and sustainable partnerships.
The lecture was held in a highly interactive format. A significant part of the session was devoted to discussion with students and a Q&A session, during which participants actively shared their own observations about intercultural interaction and asked questions about working in international teams. At the end of the class, students of the Global Virtual Class expressed their appreciation for the practical examples, open discussion, and the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the role of cultural intelligence in the global professional environment.
It is also worth noting that Tetyana Mayboroda serves as a COIL Ambassador for 2025–2026 in the SUNY COIL Global Network , which brings together educators implementing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) at their universities. Her participation in the Global Virtual Class forms part of broader efforts to develop international online learning formats and to strengthen intercultural interaction among students from different countries.
The participation of Sumy State University faculty in such international learning formats contributes to the university’s integration into the global educational space and provides students with opportunities for direct engagement with representatives of different cultures and academic traditions.