In recent decades, the internationalization of higher education has become one of the most important priorities for universities worldwide. However, in Iranian medical universities, the emphasis on the educational and research dimensions of internationalization has led to the cultural dimension of this process receiving less attention. The lack of a comprehensive model for explaining cultural strategies of internationalization, weaknesses in leveraging cultural and identity-based capacities, and the absence of coherent mechanisms for intercultural interactions are among the most important challenges in this field. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to design and validate a model of cultural strategies for the internationalization of medical sciences universities in Iran.
This study was conducted using an exploratory mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in higher education, internationalization, and administrators of medical sciences universities in Iran, who were selected through purposive sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory and MAXQDA software. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire based on the findings of the qualitative stage was administered to 341 administrators, faculty members, and international affairs experts of medical sciences universities, selected through stratified random sampling. For data analysis, structural equation modeling and partial least squares (PLS-SEM) were employed using SmartPLS and LISREL software.
The findings indicated that causal factors include Iranian–Islamic culture, student participation, international affairs, decentralization, international research, international communication and interaction, university autonomy, and changes in managers’ perspectives. In addition, the main strategies identified include organizing cultural events, developing university infrastructure and facilities, incentive systems, information flow management, education and capacity building, expansion of scientific collaborations, government support, facilitation of international investment, and benchmarking successful global experiences. The quantitative results also confirmed the good fit of the model and the significance of relationships among the components. Finally, the study suggests that medical sciences universities, through the formulation of international cultural policies, strengthening cultural diplomacy, developing intercultural competencies, and revising managerial structures, can provide the groundwork for achieving sustainable cultural internationalization.