Exploring an Effective International Higher Education Partnership Model Through Virtual Student Mobility Programs: A Case Study

This study examined the role of virtual student mobility (VSM) programs in developing international education partnerships and explored key factors for building successful transnational partnerships. Drawing on Yin’s case study approach, we explored several VSM programs offered by a Japanese national university in partnership with four research universities in China. Data sources included an autoethnographic account of planning and organizing virtual exchange programs and interviews with the partner universities’ virtual exchange program coordinators as well as with students who took different virtual exchange courses under the partnership. Our case study showed that VSM models require significant collaboration, support, and commitment from universities to offer high-quality exchange programs. The initial establishment of VSM programs relies on existing relationships, clear communication, and a commitment to collaborate; however, VSM programs’ success depends heavily on the quality of online support, as well as inter-university communication and collaboration between administrators and faculty and intra-university communication and collaboration with partner universities. Based on the research results and the previous literature on international higher education partnerships, we propose a renewed partnership model in VSM comprising three main characteristics: (1) effective coordination and support, (2) effective communication, and (3) a commitment to partnership. Amidst emerging VSM models in higher education, this study contributes to the literature by proposing a renewed partnership model for sustaining VSM programs.