Showing papers in "International higher education in 2019"
TL;DR: The authors argues that it is time for universities across the world to increase their efforts to provide access to higher education to forced migrants, which is consistent with the traditional four rationales for internationalization (academic, sociocultural, political and economic).
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.
12 citations
TL;DR: The authors compared the research productivity of Chinese "Young Thousand Talents" (Y1000Ts) and Chinese researchers remaining in the United States and found that while the two groups publish at a similar rate, Y1000T lag slightly behind their US-affiliated counterparts in terms of quality of publications.
Abstract: While it is commonly agreed that globally bred talent returning to China greatly contributes to the enhancement of research capacity, whether returnees perform better than those who stay overseas remains to be examined. We compared the research productivity of Chinese “Young Thousand Talents” (Y1000Ts) and Chinese researchers remaining in the United States. The results of our analysis demonstrate that while the two groups publish at a similar rate, Y1000T lag slightly behind their US-affiliated counterparts in terms of quality of publications. This could be explained by the assessment system of research performance in China.
11 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the principal results of an international survey aiming at assessing the nature and extent of policy commitments of national governments to address inequalities in access to and success in higher education.
Abstract: The article presents the principal results of an international survey aiming at assessing the nature and extent of policy commitments of national governments to address inequalities in access to and success in higher education. It looks at evolving definitions of equity target groups, reviews the principal instruments on which governments rely to eliminate barriers to access and success for all social groups, and proposes a benchmarking of countries from the viewpoint of the consistency between their policy objectives and actual commitments to equity in higher education.
8 citations
TL;DR: This article synthesizes the evolution of, and prospects for, online higher education around the world and identifies different national onlineHigher education models and stages of development.
Abstract: This article synthesizes the evolution of, and prospects for, online higher education around the world. Different national online higher education models and stages of development are outlined. Online learning is judged by the extent to which the delivery mode has addressed higher education’s core challenges of wider access, quality enhancement, and cost containment.
7 citations
TL;DR: More than half of the country's international students come from Asian countries, with Korea sending the most students as discussed by the authors, and international students in China are mostly nondegree and study literature.
Abstract: This article is based on a report released by China’s ministry of education, indicating that more than half of the country’s international students come from Asian countries, with Korea sending the most students. International students in China are mostly nondegree and study literature. In order to attract international students, the Chinese government has taken several measures, such as providing scholarships, encouraging the provision of English-taught courses, and granting work permits to this population. But China faces challenges in attracting more degree-seeking students.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed new initiatives to speed up internationalization in an attempt to increase the sector's quality, but problems existing in the government policy direction and organizational factors within the universities may mean that Indonesian higher education will remain insular for quite some time.
Abstract: While the Indonesian higher education sector is relatively inward looking in comparison with those of its neighbors in Southeast Asia, the government has been proposing new initiatives to speed up internationalization in an attempt to increase the sector’s quality. However, problems existing in the government policy direction and organizational factors within the universities may mean that Indonesian higher education will remain insular for quite some time. Adapting effective policies implemented in other Asian countries may help Indonesia transform its higher education sector.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that internationalization processes have an impact on higher education systems and institutions and that the mechanisms of these processes influence teaching and learning, research, and service practice.
Abstract: Internationalization processes have an impact on higher education systems and institutions. The mechanisms of these processes—rankings, cooperation, academic mobility, and curriculum reforms—influence teaching and learning, research, and service practice. In turn, academic culture is also impacted: the institutions’ own sets of beliefs, norms, habits, and values. Internationalization processes generate new challenges, tensions, and conflicts, and allow higher education institutions to reevaluate institutional strategies in a global context.
6 citations
TL;DR: The higher education systems in Laos and Cambodia have been expanding rapidly over recent years, but with increasing reliance on a teaching-only private higher education sector, the quality of which is extremely variable as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The higher education systems in Laos and Cambodia have been expanding rapidly over recent years, but with increasing reliance on a teaching-only private higher education sector, the quality of which is extremely variable. Public-sector higher education institutions, though generally considered more prestigious to attend, are severely constrained by a lack of institutional autonomy and limited budgets, and so their quality is also a matter for concern.
5 citations
TL;DR: The credit system employed at Kazakhstani universities is unique as mentioned in this paper, it evolved from a time when graduates of the Soviet educational system were required to prove their qualifications and degrees by calculating or converting their learning hours into international grading systems.
Abstract: Since independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has had the aim to increase the quality of its higher education. The system has a strong Soviet educational legacy. By constantly reforming its educational system, Kazakhstan has attempted to become a part of both the European and the American systems. The credit system employed at Kazakhstani universities is unique. It evolved from a time when graduates of the Soviet educational system were required to prove their qualifications and degrees by calculating or converting their learning hours into international grading systems. It took a long journey before Kazakhstan introduced its own credit system model, preserving the country’s political, ideological, economic, social and cultural background.
4 citations
TL;DR: The recent declarations and measures enacted by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in regard to Brazilian higher education and science have caused great concern and created considerable confusion as mentioned in this paper, given the importance of public universities and federally funded public agencies for the country's social and economic demands.
Abstract: The recent declarations and measures enacted by President Jair Bolsonaro in regard to Brazilian higher education and science have caused great concern and created considerable confusion. This article summarizes the main events taking place since January 2019, as well as their possible implications for the future. Given the importance of public universities and federally funded public agencies for the country’s social and economic demands, budget cuts and hostility toward academic institutions effectively “cut the government’s own throat.”
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors asked about the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the ranking organizations themselves, given that their real intent is to sell magazines and newspapers and/or consultancy.
Abstract: Measuring university engagement or societal impact is becoming a popular way to assess the public good role of universities. Rankings have been early movers in this area, but do they tell us anything meaningful? And while it is important to ask about the role and responsibility of universities, it is about time that we asked about the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the ranking organizations themselves, given that their real intent is to sell magazines and newspapers and/or consultancy?
TL;DR: A growing number of African universities have put the international dimension at the heart of their strategic agenda as discussed by the authors and have created offices for deputy vice chancellors or directors, directorates, and centres for internationalization and strategic partnerships, and moved from a narrow focus on student mobility programs to research partnerships with universities in industrial countries.
Abstract: Since the late 2000s, a growing number of African universities have put the international dimension at the heart of their strategic agenda. Flagship and national universities have created offices for deputy vice chancellors or directors, directorates, and centres for internationalization and strategic partnerships, and moved from a narrow focus on student mobility programs to research partnerships with universities in industrial countries as a way of building their capacity and improving their position on the global stage.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the Taiwanese government needs more proactive policies for universities to maintain quality, expand, and further internationalize, which is a challenge for Taiwan's higher education system, which faces increasing pressure caused by expansion, low birthrate, and human capital flight.
Abstract: Taiwan’s higher education system enjoys a high level of participation and a reputation for quality in Asia, but it is facing increasing pressure caused by expansion, low birthrate, and human capital flight. Further, with the Cross-Strait relations going downhill, higher education cooperation and faculty and student mobility between China and Taiwan are severely affected. Under these unfavorable circumstances, the Taiwanese government needs more proactive policies for universities to maintain quality, expand, and further internationalize.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the expansion and improvement of Chinese higher education may also reduce outward student mobility from China, as well as the impact of academic relations between China and Western countries on student mobility.
Abstract: Higher education relations between China and major Western countries have been strained recently by global tensions, including intellectual property theft, controversy concerning the Chinese government sponsored Confucius Institutes, trade issues, and others. These are having an impact on academic relations between China and Western countries, as well as on student mobility from China. The expansion and improvement of Chinese higher education may also reduce outward student mobility from China.
TL;DR: In 2018, the Ministry of Education and Training as discussed by the authors proposed an accreditation agency to monitor the surveying process, rather than leaving this task to voluntary cooperation from universities, so that universities can conduct a national employability survey or establish an accrediting agency.
Abstract: As of 2018, it is mandatory for Vietnamese higher education institutions (HEIs) to publish the employment rates of their graduates. Failure to comply with this regulation will automatically disqualify accredited HEIs from the right to recruit new students. So far, less than 5 percent of Vietnamese HEIs have published employment rates for their alumni and there is a lot of criticism and suspicion from the public toward the reliability of these statistics. The ministry of education and training should either conduct a national employability survey or establish an accreditation agency to monitor the surveying process, rather than leaving this task to voluntary cooperation from universities.
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TL;DR: The EAIE Barometer: Signposts of Success (2018) as discussed by the authors examined data from respondents who reported high levels of progress with respect to their international activities, confidence in their institution's performance, and optimism about the future, and found that aligning internationalization with institutional mission, positioning the internationalization strategy and its supporting actors purposefully within the institution, and implementing agendas that are both expansive and meaningfully resourced seems to add up to a recipe for success.
Abstract: Data examined from “The EAIE Barometer: Signposts of Success” (2018)—specifically from among respondents who reported high levels of progress with respect to their international activities, confidence in their institution’s performance, and optimism about the future—exhibits some commonalities with respect to matters of motivation, organization, and execution. Aligning internationalization strategy with institutional mission, positioning the internationalization strategy and its supporting actors purposefully within the institution, and implementing agendas that are both expansive and meaningfully resourced seems to add up to a recipe for (self-reported) success.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the case of accountability reform in Indonesia, offering insights as to how the twin policy objectives of teaching quality and equitable access can be addressed, and the key is holding both state and private institutions to account to maximize systemwide impact.
Abstract: Sustainable Development Goal 4 calls for equal access to quality higher education. How this can be achieved in practice remains a major policy question. This article presents the case of accountability reform in Indonesia, offering insights as to how the twin policy objectives of teaching quality and equitable access can be addressed. Evidently, accountability mechanisms have empowered the state to regulate both teaching quality and equitable access. The key is holding both state and private institutions to account to maximize system-wide impact.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results of the survey seem to indicate that a strategic approach to internationalization is indeed common at the majority of HEIs as mentioned in this paper, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to financial resources and monitoring and evaluation.
Abstract: This article presents a reflection on the results of the 5th IAU Global Survey to help understand to what extent the internationalization of higher education has become a strategic process at higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world. The results of the survey seem to indicate that a strategic approach to internationalization is indeed common at the majority of HEIs. Although encouraging, the results show that there is still room for improvement when it comes to financial resources and monitoring and evaluation. They also show a risk of increasing inequality between HEIs.
TL;DR: In this article, an Obstacles to Excellence: Academic Freedom and China's Quest for World-Class Universities, institutional autonomy ascends to the fore, allowing only a shrinking space for vital questions as China applies enormous effort to impose control while seeking the status of a world class knowledge producer.
Abstract: With the release of Scholars at Risk’s (SAR’s) Obstacles to Excellence: Academic Freedom and China’s Quest for World-Class Universities, institutional autonomy ascends to the fore. In China’s pursuit to transform its institutions into world-class universities, global rankings have offered metrics to purported advancement but too often lack consideration of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, permitting only a shrinking space for vital questions as China applies enormous effort to impose control while seeking the status of a world-class knowledge producer.
This article is based on a Scholars at Risk’s report entitled Obstacles to Excellence: Academic Freedom and China’s Quest for World-Class Universities, available on SAR’s website at https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take Fudan University in Shanghai, China, as an example to show the complex interaction among players in the process of socialization through political education and academic affairs.
Abstract: This article takes Fudan University in Shanghai, China, as an example to show the complex interaction among players in the process of socialization through political education and academic affairs. The roles of teachers have been split between enforcing political socialization and pursuing academic freedom—alternating between obediently observing political bottom lines and attempting to expand the scope of their academic autonomy.
TL;DR: The financial crisis engulfing Kenyan universities has impacted operations and raised doubts about long-term sustainability as discussed by the authors, and a short-term solution requires an immediate infusion of cash, but a longterm strategy entails a multipronged reform in the financing of higher education at national and institutional levels.
Abstract: The financial crisis engulfing Kenyan universities has impacted operations and raised doubts about long-term sustainability. This crisis has a double impetus: at the national level, policy changes impacting the entire system, and at the institutional level, challenges in terms of financial governance. A short-term solution requires an immediate infusion of cash, but a long-term strategy entails a multipronged reform in the financing of higher education at national and institutional levels.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine intended and unintended impacts of performance funding and obstacles to making it work effectively, and make policy recommendations to help institutions better respond to performance funding, which is a leading example of neoliberal policy making, involves funding institutions not on enrollments but on outcomes such as graduation.
Abstract: Performance funding, a leading example of neoliberal policy making, involves funding institutions not on enrollments but on outcomes such as graduation. This article examines intended and unintended impacts of performance funding and obstacles to making it work effectively. It includes policy recommendations to help institutions better respond to performance funding.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss how religious motivation can enhance refugees' access to higher education in a host country, using the case of Syrian refugees accessing higher education to cope with local societal tensions.
Abstract: Today's global phenomenon of forced displacement, at a record high since World War II, has resulted in refugees struggling for access to higher education around the world. Refugees form an untraditional category among international students and force policy makers to employ uncommon drivers to both support their access to universities and handle any possible local societal tensions. Using the case of Syrian refugees' access to higher education in Turkey, this article discusses how religious motivation can enhance refugees' access to higher education in a host country.
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TL;DR: The higher education system in the Republic of Moldova has undergone a far-reaching transformation since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 as discussed by the authors, and some of the main achievements and challenges of the higher education reform in that Eastern European country, which joined the Bologna process in 2005.
Abstract: The higher education system in the Republic of Moldova has undergone a far-reaching transformation since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This article analyses some of the main achievements and challenges of the higher education reform in that Eastern European country, which joined the Bologna process in 2005.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify analytical facts about international student mobility to the United Kingdom that have received little or no attention to date, and consider the implications of the relatively shorter duration of higher education degrees in the UK, the impact of poststudy work opportunities on global international student demand, sustainability of UK research degrees, and the growth in transnational education.
Abstract: This article identifies analytical facts about international student mobility to the United Kingdom that have received little or no attention to date. It considers the implications of the relatively shorter duration of higher education degrees in the United Kingdom, the impact of poststudy work opportunities on global international student demand, sustainability of UK research degrees, and the growth in transnational education.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an update on Chile's free tuition policy for higher education, first enacted in 2016, giving an overview of the political reasons why, currently, there seems to be very little enthusiasm for this policy across academia, political parties, and institutions of higher education.
Abstract: This article provides an update on Chile’s free tuition policy for higher education, first enacted in 2016. It gives an overview of the political reasons why, currently, there seems to be very little enthusiasm for this policy across academia, political parties, and institutions of higher education. Problems related to the design of this measure contribute to complicating its implementation.
TL;DR: The authors describes two major waves of reforms in the past fifteen years and analyzes how they interfered one with another, namely, enhanced cooperation at the local level and increased the level of competition.
Abstract: France has experienced two major waves of reforms in the past fifteen years. The first one enhanced cooperation at the local level and the second increased the level of competition. This paper describes these reforms and analyses how they interfered one with another.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that research linkages with industry and with international authors were particularly important for university connectivity, and that country size influenced the nature and degree of connectivity.
Abstract: Governments and business alike encourage universities to engage with external stakeholders. The annual Universitas21 rankings provide national measures of university connectivity. Research linkages with industry and with international authors are found to be particularly important. Country size influences the nature and degree of connectivity.
TL;DR: The exception to this dominant model in the Arab world is Tunisia, which, not coincidentally, has also been the only exception to the failure of the “Arab Spring,” continuing on the path of democracy and progressive reform despite some setbacks.
Abstract: Public universities in the Arab world have suffered from what might be called a political model of governance. This model involves the subordination of universities to political influence, from top to bottom as well as horizontally. It leads to the closing of minds, the undermining of knowledge production, and limiting the ability of universities to bring about social change. The exception to this dominant model in the Arab world is Tunisia, which, not coincidentally, has also been the only exception to the failure of the “Arab Spring,” continuing on the path of democracy and progressive reform despite some setbacks.
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TL;DR: The Higher Education Sprout Project as mentioned in this paper highlights social responsibility as a new key performance indicator that the government uses to monitor the performance of universities and reveals a reorientation of higher education policy that represents a shift from an outward-looking strategy to a relatively inward-looking approach.
Abstract: A new policy initiative called the Higher Education Sprout Project was launched in Taiwan in 2018. This project highlights social responsibility as a new key performance indicator that the government uses to monitor the performance of universities. This initiative reveals a reorientation of higher education policy that represents a shift from an outward-looking strategy to a relatively inward-looking approach, and exemplifies the relevance of local politics to higher education policy making.