Internationalisation For All: Rethinking University Internationalisation

Abstract

Concerns about commercialisation, high costs of study, elitism, massification, and the challenge of quantity over quality are some of the common themes across the globe in the discussions on international higher education. Viewed through the lens of a small public university in the UK, this paper presents the results from a study examining the meaning of internationalisation, its practice, and what it means in the context of an inclusive international higher education strategy. It argues that in a world where 97% of the world’s student population engaged in higher education is not globally mobile for a variety of reasons, internationalisation to be inclusive must adopt a holistic approach and be woven into the fabric of the institution’s life. Implemented as a Whole Institution Initiative (WII), this must be accompanied by clear Intent, Investment, and Infrastructure (3 I’s), connecting strategy, policy, and day-to-day practices at all levels and functions of the institution. The framework that has been developed as a result of this study provides insight and practical guidance to Higher Education institutions on how to approach internationalisation holistically. At a strategic level, it will be useful to institutional leaders and national policymakers to understand the issues entailed in formulating international strategies, processes, and programmes in developing an inclusive internationalisation strategy and not merely focusing on international student recruitment and inward mobility. At a course/programme level, it provides valuable practical insight and guidance to academics and programme administrators involved in developing and delivering inclusive internationalisation.