MAGGIE WOODROW

• Passionate commitment to making higher education accessible to all who would benefit

• International vision – EAN

• Doughty fighter for her principles

• What would she think about internationalisation?

INTERNATIONALISATION

“Internationalisation is the process of integrating an international/inter-cultural

dimension into the teaching, research and services functions of the institution”

Jane Knight (1994)Internationalisation: elements and checkpoints.

Canadian Bureau for International Education Ottawa.

Why Internationalise?

• Global society – universities’ role?

• Return from public investment

• Economic benefits from skilled graduates and research and knowledge transfer

• International competitiveness

• Universities to be at forefront of new thinking - global

Motivation for universities

• Idealism – global citizens

• Intellectual challenge

• Reputation

• Research opportunities

• Money

• Keeping up with the neighbours

What does internationalisation mean?

• Diverse “home” student population

• Diverse “international” student population

• Global issues incorporated into curriculum

• International staff

• Integrated student environment and services includig Students’ Union

• Active international research partnerships

What does internationalisation mean?

• Actively managed international partnerships

• Active promotion of study abroad

• Supportive quality assurance arrangements

• Strong international scholarship programme

• Active international student support – language, study methods, protocols

• University engaged in “off-shore” developments and partnerships

Necessary Characteristics

• Strong, demonstrable commitment from top• Bottom-up staff commitment-embrace

diversity• Appetite for assessed risks• Encouragement of students to engage (SU)• Staff working abroad in partnerships• Internationalisation support by all staff• International curriculum

What would Maggie ask?

• This is all very well but is it not elitist and unsympathetic to Access students?

Issues

• Evidence for social class and ethnic divide in international participation

• Problems for “home” students with families and financial constraints

• Part-time jobs

• Erasmus/Socrates type support

Access policies for international students

• Difficult for high fee and cost of living countries eg UK

• Educational disadvantage difficult to overcome internationally

• Confidence raising• Scholarship support• Visa and immigration rules

International Development Activity

• Key aspect for internationalisation agenda

• Active exchange partnerships

• New institutional development and capacity building

• University of Westminster experience

• Benefits to staff involved

• Creating opportunities for students

Benefits

• Opening up opportunities for students otherwise not available

• Taking international university experience to those who cannot afford to travel

• Creation of wider global community with diverse experience

• Breaking down barriers and ignorance

Maggie’s Answer

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