Internationalization of Higher Education

Internationalization of higher education in theory is "the process of integrating an international, intercultural, or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of postsecondary education." Internationalization of higher education in practice is "the process of commercializing research and postsecondary education, and international competition for the recruitment of foreign students from wealthy and privileged countries in order to generate revenue, secure national profile, and build international reputation." The main components of internationalization of higher education are global competition for talents, recruitment of international students, development of international branch campuses, students, staff and scholars exchange programs, internationalization of the curriculum, and research and education partnerships between institutions regionally and internationally.

From a critical point of view, the story of internationalization in the real world of higher education institutions may differ from what is literally expressed in official policy documents like strategic plans of internationalization. Considered to be a product of and response to globalization, internationalization is being critiqued for having an economic orientation. The central criticism is that within the Anglo-American tradition of higher education internationalization is increasingly associated with commodification and commercialization of postsecondary education. Internationalization of higher education has been criticized to be the process of international competition for recruitment of more foreign students from privileged countries in order to generate revenue, secure national profile, and build international reputation.

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