Internationalized Academics in Argentina: A privilege or an Option?

Abstract

Internationalization, as part of a public policy agenda for universities, is relatively new in Argentina. Policies oriented toward internationalization have been scarce and have depended on financial opportunities from developed countries. Since academics are key actors in the development of internationalization, and the academic profession in Argentina is heterogeneous and fragmented, the extent to which recent internationalization policies on higher education might impact on the international level of Argentine academic activity is still unknown. This article delves into the questions of whether being international today is either an option or a privilege for Argentine academics, and how this condition determines their perception of the value of internationalization at the institutions where they work, given their central role at the university. To do this, we have relied on the 2018 Academic Profession in the Knowledge-based Society (APIKS) survey to analyze the level of academic internationalization in Argentina in relation to personal and professional qualities. We, therefore, examine our questions aiming toward the creation of favorable academic environments for institutional internationalization. Our findings could be helpful in thinking up a comprehensive change for institutional internationalization and, therefore, institutional quality.