Abstract
From the beginning of the 21st century, the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT) provided new possibilities for internationalization for higher education institutions. In addition, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization process of higher education has been accelerated worldwide. Taken together, the inclusion of virtual dimension in internationalisation actions has gained momentum in academic practices. Thus, different definitions of virtual internationalization and multifaceted possibilities on internationalisation practices in the digital age have been exerted. Under the pressure of same challenges, higher education institutions in various contexts face the need for better understanding those aspects theoretically and practically from the perspectives of academic members. As a response to this need, the current study aims to explore the perceptions of 46 academic members from 12 universities, under which the conceptualization of virtual internationalisation and the new possibilities for internationalisation in the digital age were emphasized. The results demonstrate that academic members widely interpret virtual internationalisation with different dimensions rather than a systematic definition. In addition, the findings provided- several insights into understanding the new possibilities for internationalisation in the digital age. The results of this study can serve as a steppingstone for social inclusion to expand the possibilities for virtual internationalization.
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