Friday, April 20, 2012

International Association of Universities issues values statement

The International Association of Universities has issued a statement on the drivers, impact, and concerns about emerging higher education around the globe. One of the most powerful points in my estimation is the following quote - #13 of the document:
The prevailing context for higher education internationalization described in this document requires all institutions to revisit and affirm internationalization’s underlying values, principles and goals, including but not limited to: intercultural learning; inter-institutional cooperation; mutual benefit; solidarity; mutual respect; and fair partnership. Internationalization also requires an active, concerted effort to ensure that institutional practices and programs successfully balance academic, financial, prestige and other goals. It requires institutions everywhere to act as responsible global citizens, committed to help shape a global system of higher education that values academic integrity, quality, equitable access, and reciprocity.

The international higher education movement has great potential. But this potential will go unfulfilled if host countries and exporting universities in these partnerships are not careful in sharpening and explicitly espousing their purpose. After the purpose is clearly clarified, then the challenge becomes attracting the kind of faculty and staff, both local and expatriate, who are dedicated to internationalization that is respectful and focused on building independent capacity.

2 comments:

  1. Denny nice reflection. I agree that institutions and academic partners cannot simply see these opportunities as prestige but rather as a way to truly impact the international and global community.

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  2. It is about time for internationalization as concepts of that are there any way through the social media and today’s communications between students world wide, a greater challenge raises here for those countries who are just starting to form their new education institutes identities and still struggling for what really suits their community of all values that education can bring and add to the individuals life .

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