Internationalization of Higher Education: Growing Expectations, Fundamental Values

IAU 4th Global Survey on Internationalization of Higher Education

Internationalization is an integral part of a continuous process of change in higher education; increasingly it is becoming a central motor of change. Its importance has grown along with the more general developments of globalization, offering new opportunities but also posing new challenges. Discussions among policy makers, higher education leaders and stakeholders and ongoing research have shown that the expansion of internationalization has brought with it questions about its meaning, its impact on learning as well as on the nature of relations among institutions. A very healthy debate about the assumptions and underlying values of internationalization has been taking place over the past two or three years, with the International Association of Universities (IAU) very much engaged in it.

The initiative to ‘re-think’ internationalization, coordinated by IAU, and involving a large international group of experts resulted in the adoption in 2012 of a policy statement entitled Affirming Academic Values in Internationalization of Higher Education: A Call for Action. Along with findings from previous IAU Global Surveys, the statement and this survey have given rise to a better appreciation of the benefits as well as the possible negative consequences of internationalization. Most importantly, these activities have stimulated a worldwide discussion about the measures that might be needed to avoid potential negative impacts of the processes that take place within the framework of internationalization.

The purpose of the IAU Global Surveys is to provide data and analysis of developments in internationalization of higher education. Alongside its data collection on the importance, the activities and priorities of this process, this 4th edition of the IAU Global Survey adds an important focus on values and principles, as well as the potential benefits and risks of current trends in internationalization of higher education for both institutions and society.

The the full version of the 4th IAU Global Survey on Internationalization is not open access. Please contact Giorgio Marinoni with any questions.