Why the Digitalization of International Education Matters

Abstract

The overwhelming importance of the digitalization of international education stems from the migration of student activities from the physical to the digital campus, which has been taking place over the past three decades. Many new and exciting learning opportunities have become possible for staff and students in higher education institutions. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, online delivery became the sole mode of education in many education institutions across the world. This has hastened the development of dynamic digital campuses and it is now very common to see digital experiences complementing face-to-face engagements between students, teachers, researchers and administrators. This special issue explores the impact of the emergence of digital campuses on international education and those seeking to harness relevant tools to improve the quality and impact of their work in this field. Contributing authors describe a range of ways in which international education is evolving and developing due to mass digitalization. This curated collection provides an overview of current practices driving the sector forward in the digital space and sets an agenda for future research in the digitalization of international education.