Transforming Global Energy Education Through Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Insights from the 3D Energy Summit Multi Cohort Experience

The global energy transition necessitates a trans-formative approach to education, particularly in equipping future professionals with cross-disciplinary skills to navigate decarbonization, decentralization, and digitalization. The 3D Energy Project integrates blended learning with cross-cultural collaboration to address these challenges, combining a five-week online microcredential with a physical summit across Malaysia, Vietnam, and China. This study evaluates the project’s impact on engagement, learning effectiveness, and cross-cultural collaboration through a mixed-methods analysis of student cohorts from 2022 to 2024. Quantitative findings indicate a steady increase in course completion rates and engagement hours. Qualitative insights highlight language barriers, communication challenges, and cultural differences as key factors influencing participation. Despite these challenges, students reported high engagement and credited the programme’s social and interactive elements for strengthening international collaboration. Recommendations for future iterations include enhanced multilingual support, pre-summit networking opportunities, and expanded interactive learning strategies to improve scalability and inclusivity. The findings highlight the potential of blended learning in global energy education, offering a scalable model that can be adapted for broader international application. This study contributes to the development of inclusive and effective educational frameworks to support a skilled, globally connected energy workforce.