Forced Internationalization of Higher Education: An Emerging Phenomenon

Abstract

A growing number of forced migrants are knocking on the doors of universities today. This paper argues that it is time for universities across the world to increase their efforts to provide access to higher education to forced migrants. Welcoming international disadvantaged groups into higher education is not only consistent with the traditional four rationales for internationalization (academic, sociocultural, political, and economic), it is also important for humanitarian reasons. Using the example of “forced migrants” from Syria in Turkey, we can see that this new phenomenon of “forced internationalization” creates uncommon challenges for institutions on a scale never seen before. However, it also creates opportunities for institutions and national systems seeking to internationalize, as well as for the many displaced scholars and students in the world today.

A Phenomenological Study on International Student Withdrawals from Malaysian Higher Education Institutions

“…This is consistent with the pull and push factors as proposed by Mazzarol and Soutar (2002). Ergin, de Wit, & Leask, (2019) discussed the emerging phenomenon of forced internationalization in some countries with high number of forced migrants due to forces beyond their control such as countries in conflict like Syria. There are high numbers of students from Syria who had to continue their higher education in neighboring country like Turkey.…”

Internationalization in higher education: global trends and recommendations for its future

“…Yet the vast majority of refugees are hosted in lower-middle income countries. Ergin, de Wit, and Leask (2019) refer in that respect to 'forced internationalization of higher education'. According to UNCHR, only 3 percent of eligible refugees have equitable access to higher education (UNCHR 2019).…”

The future of internationalization of higher education in challenging global contexts

“…Thirdly, although economic rationales, revenue generation, competition, reputation and rankings still drive the agenda of internationalization, there is more emphasis now being placed on other motivations for internationalization, such as quality, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and attention to marginalized groups such as refugees (ERGIN et al, 2019), immigrants, and minorities. These three trends in themselves are positive, but they manifest themselves still more in rhetoric than in concrete action.…”