Exploring Motivations, Practices, and Evaluation of Virtual Internationalization in Traditional Chinese Medicine Higher Education: A Qualitative Case Study of Five Universities

In response to the evolving demands of global education and the rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Virtual Internationalization (VI) has emerged as a strategic approach in higher education. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) universities face the dual challenge of preserving culturally embedded knowledge while aligning with global healthcare standards. Historically reliant on physical mobility, these institutions are increasingly adopting VI to maintain and enhance international engagement. This empirical research adopts a qualitative case study methodology to investigate the application of VI in five public TCM universities located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi provinces of China. Relying on institutional documents and reports, the empirical research explores: (1) key motivations for initiating VI, (2) the types of practices and digital tools employed, (3) evaluation methods currently in use, and (4) perceived areas for future improvement. Findings and data reveal drivers such as national policy incentives and the pursuit of international competitiveness, alongside practices like virtual exchanges and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). However, the absence of standardized assessment frameworks and insufficient digital infrastructure remain pressing challenges. By offering discipline-specific insights, this research contributes to the literature of VI in non-Western medical education and provides practical guidance for improving internationalization strategies of TCM higher education within a connected context globally.