Publication Launch: Internationalization of Higher Education: Insights into Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Sustainable Development; and International Partnerships
The International Association of Universities (IAU) is pleased to announce the release of its latest publication: Internationalization of Higher Education: Insights into Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Sustainable Development; and International Partnerships
This report serves as a complementary study to the 6th IAU Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher Education (2024). While the Global Survey provided extensive quantitative data on institutional priorities and practices, this follow-up publication offers qualitative perspectives gathered from interviews with representatives of 11 higher education institutions worldwide.
The report is also an outcome of the research project “The Future of Internationalization Partnership,” supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (Project Number 890200018) and it is the result of a collaboration between the IAU and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.
The study examines how internationalization strategies are evolving in response to three emerging priorities:
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Approaches differ across regions, with institutions adapting EDI frameworks to their local contexts and student populations.
Sustainable Development (SD): Links between SD and internationalization are increasingly emphasized, though HEIs that do not link these two areas place less emphasis on the social and
economic dimensions of SD perceptions; that is, they mainly view SD in environmental terms.
International Partnerships: Institutions are moving beyond reputation-driven collaborations, seeking balanced, equitable, and mutually beneficial partnerships.
By capturing how local contexts, institutional goals, and regional dynamics shape these practices, the report provides valuable insights for higher education leaders and policymakers working to ensure that internationalization remains relevant to local societies, inclusive, and globally impactful.
Learn more about
The 6th IAU Global Survey on Internationalization, including translations and additional resources
