Defining and Managing Internationalisation in Higher Education Institutions

Driving forces for focusing on internationalisation

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Globalization - increasing global dependency Demands from the labour market and the students Influence on research areas and research collaboration EU politics, EU programmes and the Bologna process Competition - national och international Funding opportunities CR/2006

Definition by Jane Knight, 1995

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”Internationalisation of higher education is defined as the process of integrating an international dimension into the research, teaching and services functions of an institution of higher education.”

J. Knight & H. de Wit. (1995).

Strategies for Internationalisation of higher education.

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What is internationalization?

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From the LU international policy: ”Internationalisation of higher education is a change process preparing the students to be able to live and work successfully in an increasingly international och multicultural world” CR/2006

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WHY? Rationales not mutually exclusive and changing over time

Academic rationales: objectives refer to the integration of an international dimension into teaching and research and to quality improvement.

Social/Cultural rationales: objectives include the development of the individual, the role of foreign languages and cross-cultural understanding.

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Rationales, cont.

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Economic rationales: objectives relate to direct or long term economic benefits, e.g. institutional income, internationally qualified labour force, trade relations, international supply and demand for education, etc.

Political rationales: objectives refer to issues such as security, stability and peace and ideological influence. Image rationales: Internationalisation of HEIs is seen as an attractivity factor CR/2006

Internationalization – definition components Research Mobility of teachers and other staff International networks

INFRASTRUCTURE

Student mobility An international environment An international university Co-operation with surrounding society

STRATEGY & POLICY

Influences:

• Political priorities • System of education • Geography/languages • Type of education/field

Solidarity, development, projects Pedagogical development CR/2006 Internat. programmes, Language, ”Area studies

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Curriculum development

An international strategy

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Must be in line with the overall strategy of the university and cannot therefore be copied Based on analysis of own situation – e.g. SWOT Mission – why do we want to do this?

Vision – where do we want to be in 3-5 years?

Objectives – what do we want to achieve?

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Long term Short term

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Measurable CR/2006

Strategy – how are we going to reach the objectives?

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Action plan

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What activities do we plan?

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When do they start and end?

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Who is responsible?

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Budget?

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Quality assurance?

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Management process

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Analysis of external and internal situation Strategic choices (realistic goals, resources etc) Creating a system/structure for:

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Information Planning Organising Implementation Evaluation and follow up CR/2006

Levels in interaction

Central: offices, Rectorate, IRO and other central Faculty/Area: Deans, Faculty IRO or int. coordinator, Intern. groups, centres Department: C oordinators/teachers/student counsellors/administrators Student CR/2006

Organisation, tools, . . .

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Courses in English Infrastructure Roles & responsibilities Communication channels Database Course catalogues Web page Presentations/information materials CR/2006

Current issues

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The Bologna process International magister-masterprogrammes & Erasmus Mundus Integrated view on internationalization Revision of agreements Improved co-ordination Prioritizing CR/2006

To discuss

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What is internationalisation in your institution?

What is your rationale for focusing on internationalisation?

What challenges are you facing?

What will be the next step in the change process?

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Analysis

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Mapping of:

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- Contacts International experience (teaching, communication/education…) Arguments for internationalisation Relation centralisation/decentralisation Legal framework Other drivers CR/2006

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What support can IRO provide?

Education to staff

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Internationalisation – i.e. workshops

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Use of the database How to deal with international agreements Evaluation, i.e. STARS, etc Information about exchange programmes.

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EU

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Other Contacts Tools, standard documents, information materials, guides, etc Networking Strategic information seeking CR/2006