Editorial

Abstract

Often resulting from grassroots initiatives by which teachers from different institutions connect their classes to work on collaborative projects, virtual exchange (VE) has led to the creation of networks and joint endeavors on a global scale. Moreover, such initiatives, which for a long time have not received institutional recognition or have not been included in internationalization policies, are now getting attention with programmes such as Erasmus+ VE (2018-20). This Special Issue on Global Perspectives on Virtual Exchange for University Internationalisation shows how VE can be applied to different disciplines and projects in universities across the globe, highlighting multiple benefits for students, lecturers and universities. These benefits include opportunities for the development of students’ multilingual and intercultural competence, academic and digital literacies, and greater awareness of global issues. The results of the studies in this SI can pave the ground for research-informed university internationalization policies for more internationalized, digitilazed and transdisciplinary curriculum design which can help students develop the global competences needed in changing academic and professional scenarios.

Keywords

• global perspectives
• university internationalization
• virtual exchange
• trans-atlantic and pacific project
• specialized communication