ABSTRACT
Internationalization as a concept and strategic agenda is a relatively new, broad, and varied phenomenon in tertiary education. During the past half-century, internationalization has evolved from a marginal activity to a key aspect of the reform agenda. This analysis addresses the following points: What are the historical developments of internationalization? What do we mean by internationalization? What are the key factors in international tertiary education that impact, and are impacted by, this phenomenon? What initiatives and policies are developed to enhance the internationalization of tertiary education? What are the key data, trends, and challenges that are crucial for the future of internationalization, abroad and at home, in a critical time of transformation as a result of nationalist-populist developments, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic?
ABSTRACT
Internationalization as a concept and strategy for, and in, higher education has evolved over the past four decades. Currently, discussion is increasing over whether internationalization is yet taking more distinctive forms in different parts of the world which better reflect local needs and priorities. We first consider several important moments in the development of international dimensions of higher education over the past hundred years which reflect the multidimensional and progressive development of internationalization: from an isolated to a process approach. Then we address the call for rethinking internationalization around the turn of the century, with initiatives such as internationalization of the curriculum in Australia and the UK and, across Europe, ‘Internationalization at Home’. The Covid-19 pandemic brought to the forefront a further rethinking: ‘internationalization of higher education for society’ and virtualization. But, internationalization continues to both reflect and exacerbate the inequalities in global societies. Moving our understanding of internationalization from a western, competitive paradigm to a global cooperative strategy is now an imperative for the coming years. © 2022 Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This editorial discusses the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on the internationalization of higher education, focusing on what general and specific challenges internationalization of higher education in individual countries and systems has faced and will face, and what strategies they developed to deal with these challenges in a post-pandemic world. Moreover, it outlines the COVID-19 pandemic and both institutional and national policies for internationalization of higher education in a comparative and global perspective. Finally, it presents key findings from nine articles that are included in the Special Issue. © 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd