Dr. Atiah Abdullah Sidek

Invited Speech: Laughter as a Bridge: Enhancing Equality, Access, and Inclusion in Global Virtual Exchange through Humor  
 

Biography:

Atiah Abdullah Sidek is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, IIUM. She received her B.Eng(Hons) from International Islamic University Malaysia, MSc from University of Warwick (UK) and PhD from Loughborough University (UK). Currently, she holds the post of secretary to IIUM River of Life flagship programme and a member in Friends of Klang River Basin. Dr Atiah is a committee under IIUM Plastic Waste Management Committee, the University Campus Sustainability initiative and also under INHART project- Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Farming (InSAF). 

Dr Atiah is a member of Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Project Management Institute (PMI) and Malaysian Muslim Scientists Association (PERINTIS). She is also an expert member in Malaysian Association of Problem Based Learning practitioners (MyPBL) and also actively promoting STEM learning and part of ROBOCON Malaysia 2020 working committee. Dr Atiah works closely with NGOs and government institutions especially on issues of environmental care and awareness and also a certified Green Industry Auditor under the Department of Environment Malaysia. She is passionate about teaching and learning in educational technology and is a certified Google Educator and Virtual LearnCaster (VLC). Her research interests are in the general areas of green technology and industry, environmental sustainability, operation research and management as well as engineering education.

She is also actively involved in virtual exchange and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects. She started as a COIL fellow an initiative develop by the Barzinji Institute in Shenandoah University. Her most recent contribution to COIL was in January 17, 2024, where she shared a strategy to ensure that her COIL projects are fun and interactive. The webinar was entitled “Exploring the Role of Humor in International Collaborative projects” organized by FIU and SUNY COIL.
 

Abstract:

As virtual exchanges become an increasingly vital part of global education, the challenge of creating inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environments remains critical. This presentation explores the role of humor as a powerful tool for fostering equality and inclusion in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programs, aligning with the goals of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). By integrating humor into virtual classrooms, cultural and linguistic barriers were effectively broken down, making learning more accessible and engaging for all participants, regardless of their background. The presentation will showcase collaborative efforts in a COIL project, highlighting the impact of humor on student motivation, participation, and overall learning outcomes. Through these experiences, the effectiveness of humor in creating a more inclusive and equitable virtual exchange environment will be demonstrated, contributing to the broader objectives of social justice, peace, and reduced inequality in global education.