In this subproject, we will develop a draft for a master’s program in interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences at ISU, modelled after the IMES program at UoC and tailored to ISU’s strengths and expertise. This initiative will connect various departments at ISU (natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities) comparable to the interdisciplinary approach of IMES at UoC. This effort will contribute to ISU’s structural development and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration between departments and with UoC. This initiative is already underway at ISU and has strong backing from the rectorate, leading us to believe it is feasible and has a high likelihood of success.
A joint workshop involving IMES staff from UoC and ISU staff will be held at UoC to establish a shared understanding of teaching interdisciplinary programs, a challenging yet essential endeavour. ISU staff will have the opportunity to visit the IMES program, engage with current students and faculty, and consult with the Q3 staff (quality management) and the international office.
Additonally, we will develop a common module and provide online materials accessible to both UoC and ISU, (e.g. via the IDEaL platorm, developed at the Institute of Geography with Indian partners). Given Georgia’s diverse landscapes and geology, this module will be developed as an Immersive Environmental Lab, designed to enhance interactive and experienal learning. The Immersive Environmental Lab will feature PC stations with VR capabilities (using Oculus Quest 3 headsets), a large Smartscreen (TouchScreen), and a projector with stereo capabilities. Some of this equipment is already available at ISU and UoC. The lab will support various educational applications:

1. VR Field Survey: Students will "visit" virtual representations of environments like glaciers, volcanoes, and landscapes undergoing time-lapse changes, experiencing a sense of physical presence.
2. Spatial Studies Toolset: Each PC station will include GIS software (ArcMap, QGIS, and Google Earth Pro), along with open-source office and statistics software. Students will access international databases like EOSDA LandViewer and EBSCO for comprehensive spatial analysis.
3. COIL Class: The lab will be equipped for video conferencing, enabling Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). This will facilitate joint classes with UoC and support the online defense of future Master Projects attended by faculty and students from both institutions.