Measurement and Assessment of Virtual Internationalization Outcomes in Higher Agrarian Education
Measurement and Assessment of Virtual Internationalization Outcomes in Higher Agrarian Education

Summary/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.

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