Higher Education Internationalization:

global and regional trends

Eva Egron-Polak, IAU Secretary GeneralInternational association of Lasallian universities

Bogota, Colombia, March 2015

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IAU in a snapshot• NGO, created in 1950, IAU brings together 600 + universities

worldwide, plus regional and national associations and networks

• Based at UNESCO, IAU acts as a independent voice for higher education, led by the President and Board

• IAU thematic priorities focus on HE and internationalization; equitable access and success; sustainable development; ethics; doctoral education and education related MDGs

• Information clearinghouse and comprehensive source of information on higher education institutions, systems and policy developments

• Regular convener of international conferences and meetings IAU also offers advisory services and capacity/professional development and training

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IAU and Internationalization:Research, Advisory Services, Events

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28-30 October, Siena Italy

A word about definitions• HE internationalization as a process to integrate

international, intercultural and global dimension into all aspects of higher education (Jane Knight)

• Comprehensive Internationalization (ACE, NAFSA), adds notions of a vision, a deliberate strategy, and institutional ethos/culture

• A means to an end, not an end in itself (multiple ‘ends’)• Path to quality of higher education, key to

competitiveness, a race for talent and best brains• ‘Soft Power’, a growing export/trade sector, a huge

globalized service industry increasingly privatized • A process that can be primarily inward looking (higher

education quality) or outward looking (global social responsibility)

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IAU Values and Principles for Internationalization

• Academic purposes at heart

• Fairness and mutuality of interests

• Shared decision-making and partnership

• Respect for differences, including in goals and means

• Transparency and ethical conduct and scientific integrity

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Research Results: 4th IAU Global Survey

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Following few tables offer highlightsof findings from the latest survey undertaken by IAU.The survey was sponsored by:

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Research Results: 4th IAU Global SurveySURVEY SAMPLE

Importance of Internationalization for HEI leadership

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N= 1336

Top three ranked priority internationalization activities

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Institutions according to institution-wide learning outcomes: regional results

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Top three-ranked external drivers: regional results

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Top three ranked potential risks of internationalization for institutions: regional results

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Top three ranked potential societal risks of internationalization: regional results

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A few conclusions• Internationalization continuous to grow in importance for

leadership of HEIs and governments• There is a strong focus on students, though research is

expected to benefit as well, especially in some regions• Funding remains an obstacle, yet funds are being invested

(on student mobility, marketing) especially in ‘emerging’ regions

• Intra-regional focus for internationalization remains stable, and Europe remains most popular overall

• Risks, both to institutions and societal risks are perceived rather differently among regions of the world

• Faculty expertise and experience acts as a constraint for further internationalization

• Social responsibility and considerations of equity are important values in internationalization policies and there is concern with excessive competition and commercialisation © IAU March 2015 20

Thank You for Listening

• For more information on IAU

• To order 4th Global Survey Report

• To register for Global Meeting of Associations

• To register for the Siena conference

www.iau-aiu.net

• To contact me:e.egronpolak@iau-aiu.net

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