The Global Voice of Higher Education
| Internationalization |
Internationalization of higher education is an inevitable process in the era of globalization and a deliberate strategy for improving quality and relevance. IAU focuses on the academic rationales, the equitable and collaborative nature of the process and aims to minimize the adverse effects of international interactions when these take place in highly unequal and diverse contexts among HEIs with different, resources, needs and interests.
STRATEGIC GOAL
IAU aims at retaining a leadership role in HE Internationalization which focuses on quality of learning, research and outreach for all.
Overall objectives for 2016-2020:
- Provide critical analysis of current trends
- Research on global developments
- Increase tailored advisory services
- Expand IAU expertise in benchmarking and impact assessment
- Provide information and develop global advocacy
DEFINITION OF INTERNATIONALIZATION
Over the years, the concept of internationalization has evolved and different definitions exist, IAU adopts the following: “[Internationalization of Higher Education is] the intentional process of integrating an international, intercultural or global dimension into the purpose, functions and delivery of post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality of education and research for all students and staff, and to make a meaningful contribution to society.“ (De Wit, H., Hunter F., Howard L., Egron-Polak E. (Eds.) (2015) “Internationalization of Higher Education”, European Parliament, Brussels: EU).
This recently refined definition emphasizes the fact that internationalization is an intentional process, not a passive experience. It underscores that internationalization is not a goal in itself, but a means of enhancing quality and excellence of higher education and research. In addition, the definition notes that internationalization needs to serve societal needs, rather than focusing solely on economic rationales and returns. Although globalization affects all institutions, HEIs experience different pressures; they exist in different contexts, and have different needs. Therefore, there is no “one size fits all” model or approach for internationalization, rather, each HEI must find its own way of internationalizing. At the same time, all HEIs can benefit from the best thinking and good practice from other institutions around the world. This is why IAU developed the internationalization strategies advisory service: ISAS (2.0).
ADVISORY SERVICES
IAU PROGRAM OF ADVISORY SERVICES FOR ADVANCING INTERNATIONALIZATION
Launched in 2016, ISAS (2.0) builds on the former IAU ISAS program, created to help HEIs develop or review their internationalization policies, strategies and programs. ISAS (2.0) consists of several different but complementary services designed for IAU Institutional Members (HEIs), individuals at HEIs, national governments and organizations.
It consists of three services:
Advancing strategic internationalization at HEIs (for HEIs)
Facilitating individual learning for internationalization for HEIs and individuals working at HEIs. (for HEIs and individuals at HEIs)
National advisory service for strategy or policy development for HE internationalization (for national governments, agencies and organizations)
ISAS (2.0) promotional leaflet
List of past and ongoing ISAS 2.0 projects
>>> ADVANCING STRATEGIC INTERNATIONALIZATION AT HEIs
There are 4 strands of service designed specifically for HEIs.. The duration of each strand of service depends on the specific needs of the HEIs but typically is between 6 and 12 months. Each strand culminates with the award of an IAU internationalization learning badge. Institutions awarded an IAU internationalization learning badge must follow the guidelines for use.
Enhancing a specific area of internationalization
Target audience
Higher Education Institutions interested in a specific area of internationalization
Goal
Enabling institutions to focus on a particular area of internationalization requiring special enhancing and monitoring efforts including:
Governance and management structures for internationalization;
Internationalization at home;
Internationalization of research;
Internationalization of the curriculum;
Language policy;
Strategic partnerships;
Academic and non-academic staff mobility;
Student mobility;
Transnational/cross border education;
On-line and distance learning.
Process
- Reviewing fitness of purpose of specific goals and objectives for the area of focus within the overall institutional context
- Assessing the implementation strategies adopted and pursued to achieve objectives
- Providing recommendations for developing new activities in the specific area
- Reviewing and/or developing indicators for evaluating progress
- Evaluating achievement
- IAU Learning Badges rewarded: Governance or Internationalization at home or Curriculum, Language policy, Strategic partnership, Staff mobility, Student mobility, Distance learning, Research
Fees
| HEI | Low income country | Middle income country | High income country |
| IAU member | 10 000 euros | 12 000 euros | 14 000 euros |
>>> FACILITATING INDIVIDUAL LEARNING FOR INTERNATIONALIZATION FOR HEIS AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING AT HEIs
One of the major institutional obstacles to internationalization is the limited expertise of academic and administrative staff working at HEIs. IAU has therefore developed this service, intended for individuals and groups of individuals at one or more HEIs wishing to improve their knowledge, skills and competences related to strategic planning and monitoring of internationalization of higher education. It consists of two main strands of service:
RESEARCH
THE 5TH GLOBAL SURVEY IS OUT!
IAU publishes Internationalization of Higher Education: An Evolving Landscape, Locally and Globally
One of IAU’s strategic priorities is to promote an inclusive, fair and ethical process of internationalization of higher education. IAU advocates for internationalization as a means to improve the quality of teaching and learning, research and service to society for all students and staff.
Knowing how the process of internationalization is evolving is paramount to gain a thorough understanding of its potential benefits and risks. Researching global trends is essential for IAU to continue providing the required support to higher education institutions (HEIs), governments and individuals as they develop their internationalization strategies, policies and activities.
Based on input from some 1,000 HEIs in 126 different countries, the IAU 5th Global Survey Report is the most geographically comprehensive collection and analysis of primary data on internationalization of higher education ever undertaken. It covers all aspects of internationalization from policy and activities to research, human resources and staff development, student mobility and the design of curricula.
Assessing internationalization trends over time and comparing developments across regions, the 5th Global Survey provides unique insights into the internationalization process. It highlights its overall increased importance, which enhances international cooperation and capacity building and has a beneficial impact on the quality of teaching and learning. However, it also reveals its limitations and the main area of concerns, such as funding, commodification of higher education, language barriers, or the recognition of qualifications.
The Executive Summary outlines the main highlights of the Survey report.
The IAU 5th Global Survey is available free of charge to IAU Members in its online version.
>> Not yet a Member? Join IAU now!
>> Order a copy of the print version
THEY SUPPORT US
The IAU 5th Global Survey benefited from the support of UNESCO, Académie de recherche et d’enseignement supérieur (ARES), Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
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RESSOURCES AND ARTICLES
The following articles are based on the preliminary results of the survey:
A changing view of the benefits of HE internationalisation, Giorgio Marinoni, Eva Egron-Polak and Madeleine Green, University World News, 1 February 2019
Is internationalisation creating inequality in higher education?, Giorgio Marinoni and Hans de Wit, University World News, 11 January 2019
FORMER EDITIONS OF THE GLOBAL SURVEY
Since 2003, IAU has conducted regular Global Surveys, which have become an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the internationalization of higher education. They are used by researchers, as relevant data that stimulate further research and innovation in the field; by HEIs to benchmark themselves in the development of their internationalization processes at global and regional levels; and by policymakers to seek inspiration for policies affecting higher education.
4th Global Survey (2014) - IAU 4th Global Survey on Internationalization of Higher Education.
Executive Summary
IAU 3rd Global Survey (2010) - Internationalization of Higher Education: Global Trends, Regional Perspectives
Executive Summary
IAU 2nd Global Survey (2005) - Internationalization of Higher Education - New Directions, New Challenges.
Highlights of findings
IAU 1st Global Survey (2003) - Internationalization of Higher Education: Practices and Priorities
Highlights of findings
COLLABORATION BETWEEN IAU AND BOSTON COLLEGE
IAU and Boston College collaborated on a research project about the role of English language instruction in higher education institutions(HEIs) around the world. IAU and the Boston College Center for International Higher Education (CIHE) co-supervised research undertaken by Xinyan (Sissi) Liu, a student in CIHE’s Master of Arts program in International Higher Education. This program requires that all students participate in a course titled “Field Experience in International Higher Education.” The course combines practical experience at higher education organizations, such as the IAU, with an in-depth research project.
Sissi’s report explores the national policies and role of English language instruction at HEIs in Brazil, France, Malaysia, South Africa and Spain. This is a particularly timely topic at the time when English language has become dominant in many fields, including in highly cited research and scholarship more broadly.
GLOBAL ADVOCACY
Policy Statements - Network of International Education Associations (NIEA) - IAU Working Group
POLICY STATEMENTS
IAU has developed advocacy positions on internationalization of higher education:
- Affirming Academic Values in Internationalization of Higher Education: A Call for Action, 2012 (also in French and in Spanish)
- Sharing Quality Higher Education Across Borders: A Checklist for Good Practice, 2006
- Sharing Quality Higher Education Across Borders: A Statement on Behalf of Higher Education Institutions Worldwide, 2004
- Towards a Century of Cooperation: Internationalization of Higher Education, 2000
NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS (NIEA)
IAU acts as the coordinator of the Network of International Education Associations, NIEA. NIEA members are non-profit, non-government associations which main stated purpose is to advance international higher education. The Network advances the global learning of post-secondary education organizations through the exchange of information and dialogue, advocacy for international education, professional development, and discovery of new approaches to international education.
NIEA members meet twice annually, alternating between EAIE and NAFSA conferences.
Other than IAU as a coordinator, NIEA has a chair elected among its members, the chair for the year 2020 is Phil Honeywood, from the International Education Association of Australia IEAA.
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NIEA organised two Global Dialogues on Internationalization of higher education, the first Global Dialogue held in 2014 and hosted by International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), led to the Nelson Mandela Bay declaration on the future of internationalization of higher education.
In 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, NIEA members published a statement reaffirming the importance of international higher education and research, which calls government and higher education institutions around the world for supporting international collaboration as an essential means to finding solutions to global problems, which manifest differently in local contexts.
IAU WORKING GROUP
This Working Group encompasses a small group of Administrative Board members. It provides advice to the Administrative Board and the Secretary General on the strategic direction. The Working Group develops recommendations on how to improve the visibility and response rate and dissemination of the IAU Global Survey. The Working Group also provides recommendations on how to operationalize the Call for Action: Affirming Academic Values in Internationalization of Higher Education. Finally, it assists in the promotion of the IAU Internationalization Strategies Advisory Service (ISAS (2.0)).
Chair:
- Andrew Deeks, President, University College Dublin, Ireland
Members:
- Salim Daccache s.j, Rector, University of St Joseph Beirut, Lebanon
- Etsuko Katsu, Vice-President, International, Meiji University, Japan
- Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ghana, Ghana
- Oleg Smeshko, Rector, Saint-Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics, Russian Federation
- Inga Žalėnienė, Vice-Rector for Education and Research, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania
- Marta Losada Falk, President, Antonio Nariño University, Colombia
- Pornchai Mongkhonvanit, President, Siam University, Thailand (IAU Vice-President)
IAU Secretariat Staff:
- Giorgio Marinoni, Manager, HE and Internationalization policy and projects
EVENTS
UNICA-IAU Master Class on Internationalization
IAU is pleased to have launched its first joint master class together with the Network of Universities from the Capitals of Europe (UNICA) on internationalization of Higher Education. The master class targets Vice-Presidents /Vice-Rectors for internationalization as well as academic leaders involved in internationalization policies/strategies. Combining keynote presentations with interactive group sessions, the master class will give participants a set of practical tools and techniques in order to effectively plan, monitor and evaluate internationalization activities as well as analyse local and global trends in international higher education.
What does it mean to be a Vice-Rector for Internationalization in today’s moving world?
7-10 April 2019, Dubrovnik, Croatia
DOWNLOAD THE ANNOUNCEMENT
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME
The registration is now closed. You can read about the outcomes of the first Master Class here.
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