Abstract
The paper deals with the application of information and communication technologies amid internationalization process in higher agrarian education. The purpose of this research is to evaluate virtual internationalization initiatives in Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU), Ukraine. Analysis and systematization of the latest scientific works on digitalization in higher education and virtual academic programs proved that they are essential to connect students and educators worldwide in order to improve instruction, to enhance intercultural awareness across borders, to develop target languages knowledge and transversal skills, necessary for young professionals to be competitive in the information-based society. The findings of the survey stated that SNAU is integrating a growing number of international projects requiring the use of digital tools. Data on the inputs, outputs and outcomes of virtual internationalization programs from both official documents and questioning participants, students and faculty was collected and measured. Actual benefits (developing intercultural competence, accessing to global knowledge, lowering economic and environmental costs, improving foreign languages) and potential risks (brain drain, cultural homogenization and less diversity of languages and teaching modes, imbalance of resources) of virtual academic projects were assessed as well. It has been concluded that SNAU engagement in virtual international programs has contributed to the intensification of academic mobility, ensuring international standards for the quality of educational services, gaining international experience in the field of agrarian business and research due to implementation of ICT.
Highlights
IntroductionInternationalization is not solely represented by the spatial mobility of learners and instructors, but it is embodied in various forms, among them: franchising of projects and programs, establishment of subsidiary educational associations abroad and transnational e-learning platforms
Increasing importance of internationalization in higher education has become one of the most significant indicators of postmodern society, concurrently with the development of globalized labor market, digitalization and knowledge formation technologies as a basis of world economy.Nowadays, internationalization is not solely represented by the spatial mobility of learners and instructors, but it is embodied in various forms, among them: franchising of projects and programs, establishment of subsidiary educational associations abroad and transnational e-learning platforms
The survey, focused on virtual internationalization programs currently offered in Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU), was aimed to analyze inputs, outputs and outcomes of a wide array of programs relating to international education, as detailed below
Summary
Internationalization is not solely represented by the spatial mobility of learners and instructors, but it is embodied in various forms, among them: franchising of projects and programs, establishment of subsidiary educational associations abroad and transnational e-learning platforms. Under such circumstances, modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) are regarded as a crucial point for the irrevocable spread of internationalization. The research focused on virtual international programs, empowered by digital tools, their potential risks and actual benefits, evaluated from the point of view of their participants. Data on internationalization strategies and practices by means of ICT implementation was collected from both official documents provided by university‟s authorities and information from questioning students, who had participated in various international virtual projects
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