Open Course: Developing Intercultural Awareness (September 2026)
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education are delighted to announce that the fully online Open Course Developing Intercultural Awareness – Open Courses will run from September 2026.
The purpose of this course is to enhance the multicultural experiences of both staff, teachers and students within higher education. Higher education has evolved into a multicultural phenomenon with HEIs re-orientating to an outward facing trajectory which embraces new cultures along with the opportunities and learning this brings. Many HEIs are actively pursuing an International strategy which involves completing applications for the funding of transnational projects and recruiting international students. In particular, an increase in cultural awareness can encourage educational communities to appreciate the richness of diverse culture, to challenge prejudice and discrimination as well as promote equality. This awareness can also change the perceptions of interactions among those of different cultures and enrich the educational experiences of all involved. This course has been developed with these factors in mind and aims to equip HEI staff with skills and competencies necessary to appreciate the benefits and challenges of embracing interculturalism. The essence of this process is to become good communicators.
This free course is available to all staff currently working in Higher Education, subject to availability of places.
Course Schedule
| Date and Time | Title of Session | Facilitator |
| 23/09 at 6pm (Irish Time) | Workshop on Definition and awareness of culture and stereotype | Kristin Brogan |
| 24/09 at 11am (Irish Time)
|
Workshop on Definition and awareness of culture and stereotype | Kristin Brogan |
| 25/09 at 11am (Irish Time)
|
Workshop on Definition and awareness of culture and stereotype | Kristin Brogan |
| TBC | Workshop on Cultural Dimension and Ethnocentrism | Helen Braund |
| TBC | Workshop on Cultural Dimension and Ethnocentrism | Helen Braund |
| TBC | Workshop on Cultural Dimension and Ethnocentrism | Helen Braund |
| 06/10 at 12pm (Irish Time)
|
Workshop on Intercultural Sensitivity and Critical Incidents | Helen Braund |
| 07/10 at 6pm (Irish Time)
|
Workshop on Intercultural Sensitivity and Critical Incidents | Helen Braund |
| 09/10 at 11am (Irish Time)
|
Workshop on Intercultural Sensitivity and Critical Incidents | Kristin Brogan |
| 30/11 to 16/12 | Facilitator Badge | N/A |
Please note that the Facilitators Course will not include an MTU facilitator. Participants will receive guidance and instructions on how to access and conduct their peer teaching activities. An online evening Q&A session will also take place prior to the commencement of peer teaching to provide support and answer any queries.
Learning Objectives
-
- Define the concept of culture and how the cultural model of the Iceberg relates to it. What implications has this, for example, to the workplace?
- Identify how stereotypes can influence our behaviour.
- Evaluate how useful the application of “cultural dimensions” is to your relationship with students and colleagues.
- Identify how ethnocentrism and ethnorelativism can influence our behaviour.
- Reflect on the exercises and evaluate one’s own cultural sensitivity at work and effectiveness of your communication skills.
Indicative Content
| Activity 1.1: Definition and awareness of culture (Exercise A) |
| Activity 1.2: Cultural Model: The Iceberg (Exercise B). |
| Activity 2: Other culture and stereotypes (Exercise C) |
| Activity 3.1: Cultural Dimension (Exercise D) |
| Activity 3.2: Group exercise on elements of culture, creating a positive culture and social norms (Exercise E). |
| Activity 3.3: Ethnocentrism (Exercise F) |
| Activity 4.1: DMIS Model (Exercise G) |
| Activity 5.1: Intercultural sensitivity |
| Activity 5.2: Critical Incidents |
Registration
For more information, email Dr Louise Nagle (Louise.Nagle@mtu.ie).