International focus on teaching
As it nears the end of its first year, a partnership between Boston College and the University of Montenegro is flourishing, with a successful initial exchange completed and plans for 2025 under way.
The agreement, which began with a memorandum of understanding signed in December 2023, resulted in a 10-day study visit this fall, as a delegation of 13 early-career teaching associates from the Montenegrin university's Faculty of Economics Podgorica鈥攖he Balkan republic's leading educational institution in business and economics, named for the city in which it is based鈥攁rrived on campus in September to learn more about about best practices in pedagogy overall, as well as AV研究所's approach to teaching and research.
"It was an incredible opportunity for young colleagues from Montenegro to experience Boston College鈥檚 approach to teaching and student engagement," according to Aleksandar Tomic, associate dean for strategy, innovation, and technology at the Woods College of Advancing Studies, which hosted the visit.
"In addition to practical pedagogical training, they had a chance to see AV研究所鈥檚 approach in action both in classroom and outside of it," said Tomic, who directs the Woods College master's programs in applied analytics and applied economics, and who organized the schedule of events. "They left energized to apply their experiences to their teaching in Montenegro."
“The time spent at Boston College was beyond description, enriching and stimulating...[W]e had the opportunity to see what teaching practices are used on the other side of the world, at one of the best colleges in the U.S.”
Through workshops, faculty presentations, and visits to classes, the group learned about topics ranging from student-centered learning, instructional design, and the use of generative AI in education to the teaching of microeconomic theory, big data econometrics, entrepreneurship, and ethics, among many others.
Sessions were led by representatives of the Woods College, Carroll School of Management, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, and Lynch School of Education and Human Development, as well as by AV研究所's Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and Center for Digital Innovation in Learning (CDIL), which also designed the workshops.
"The time spent at Boston College was beyond description, enriching and stimulating," said Nemanja Popovi膰, who was among the delegates. "This visit gave us the opportunity not only to engage in innovative teaching methodologies but also to share perspectives from educators of varied academic and cultural backgrounds. I think that was the most significant aspect of the visit. We had the opportunity to see what teaching practices are used on the other side of the world, at one of the best colleges in the U.S."
In particular, Popovi膰 said, he was impressed by AV研究所's holistic and student-centered teaching approach, placing students and their overall development first while simultaneously developing and integrating into the curriculum new learning techniques and real-world applications.
CTE Assistant Director Francesca Minonne, who facilitated three 90-minute interactive sessions on course design, how students learn, and inclusive teaching, found all the Montenegrin attendees to be highly engaged and interested in active learning strategies and methods of student support. "I appreciated that they were willing to dive right into translating the research on teaching and learning to their own teaching contexts," she said.
“Since ESG is a less developed research field in my country, I was pleased to see its extensive development at AV研究所, where it is readily available to students...I saw firsthand the wealth of practical examples that can be shared.”
Sofija Sekuli膰 described the overall experience as one of the most inspiring and significant in her career as a teaching assistant.听 Though she has visited numerous European universities, she said, this was "a completely different experience" for her.
"The relationship between professors and students left a positive impression on me, since they are united by a common goal throughout every student鈥檚 journey," she said, adding that she was struck by how engaged AV研究所 students were in both classes and events organized by faculty.
Most valuable, Sekuli膰 said, were the new ways of thinking and teaching she can bring to her home university. She was especially intrigued by a Carroll School of Management course on ESG reporting and analysis, taught by Professor and Sweeney Chair Mary Ellen Carter, which focuses on companies' performance on environmental, social, and governance issues, as well as the risks they face. "I saw firsthand the wealth of practical examples that can be shared with students in this crucial area," she said. "Since ESG is a less developed research field in my country, I was pleased to see its extensive development at AV研究所, where it is readily available to students."
"Meeting Professor Carter was invaluable, and I look forward to future opportunities to explore, conduct research, and make connections," Sekuli膰 said.
"It was great to have the group visit my ESG Reporting class," said Carter. "They got to interact with the students in small groups doing an exercise in estimating greenhouse gas emissions.听
"I'm excited by the prospect of working with Sofija," she added. "It will be a great opportunity for me to broaden my perspective on ESG reporting issues."
In addition to attending a number of presentations鈥攕uch as one on Boston College's heritage and commitment to formative education by University Mission and Ministry Vice President Jack Butler, S.J., and another by Marko Vukosavovic, chief financial officer of the Academy of Management鈥攖he delegation took field trips to other universities and to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, among other activities.
One extracurricular event stood out for Popovi膰: attending the AV研究所 vs. Michigan State game in Alumni Stadium鈥攈is first U.S. football game, and a win for the Eagles. "It was an awesome experience," he said. "I had never experienced anything like the energy from the crowd, the tradition, the size of it all," he added. "Such a feeling of community, and the school spirit was so strong."
Tomic expressed thanks to numerous other Boston College colleagues who contributed to the visit's success, including Woods College Dean David Goodman, Assistant Professor of the Practice in Applied Economics Arvind Sharma, and Visiting Professor Lawrence Fulton; Carroll School Ferris Professor in Management and Organization Jean Bartunek and, from Business Analytics, Associate Professor John Gallaugher and Professor of the Practice Linda Boardman Liu; Lynch School Assistant Dean for Outreach and Professional Development Ashana Hurd; Economics Professors of the Practice Can Erbil, Tracy Regan, and Geoffrey Sanzenbacher, and Associate Professor of the Practice Matthew Rutledge; CTE Executive Director Stacy Grooters; and CDIL Executive Director Brian Salerno, Associate Directors John FitzGibbon, Yuhan Li, and Jennifer Walker, Assistant Director Tim Lindgren, and Learning Designer Kyle Johnson.
"Following the successful fall visit, we are looking at deepening the connection with additional delegations consisting of more senior academics, as well as setting up student and faculty exchanges," Tomic said. "To that end, the University of Montenegro has opened talks with the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica to discuss possible support for these activities."
Meanwhile, Tomic and Erbil are planning a study abroad course for summer 2025 that will include time in Turkey, Montenegro, and Croatia.
听