A framework to analyse 'Internationalisation in higher education'

Abstract

Internationalisation in higher education is a becoming an increasingly important issue in many universities. The aim of this research was to review what constituted internationalisation, to define internationalisation of higher education, and to develop a framework that allows measurement of internationalisation of higher education. This research involved a review of the existing literature on internationalisation, a survey of 50 universities in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and Europe; analysis of the survey results, and integrating the results with the literature. A framework was developed as a result of the literature review and extensive discussions with senior staff. This allowed a pictorial representation of the overall internationalisation effort and initial self-assessment to validate the framework. It also indicated strengths and relative weaknesses of institutions' internationalisation effort and investment decisions. The results showed that internationalisation efforts can be measured using the framework; it can be equally used by individual academics, as well as departments, faculties or whole institutions. The framework was developed using the methodology of grounded theory. It was worth using a framework such as this to reflect on the dimensions of internationalisation, rather than going forward with the creation of policies and structures and in making investments for further development of internationalisation of programs. The thesis also examines the impact of General Agreement in Trades and Services (GATS) on tertiary education and includes an examination of the challenges of globalisation and GATS will bring up for higher education institutions in New Zealand.