Internationalization as Investment for Higher Education Institutions: Introducing a Framework to Enhance Investment in Internalization practices

Abstract

Prior research has reflected various conceptualizations of internationalization in higher education and offered various perspectives on its activities and practices which in result have produced different pragmatic outcomes. In the 21st century, higher education institutions (HEIs) are progressively mobile as well as globally competitive and in response practices and strategies adopted by HEIs needed to reshape in global context. We advance research on the factors influencing internationalization practices and illustrate a conceptual framework to enhance the investment in internationalization activities by HEIs. It is argued that effectiveness of internationalization depend on the rise of internationalization at home activities, student/staff exchange programs, expanding ventures and institutional networks and alliances. The study, finally, suggests some practices that universities can adopt to speed up internationalization process.

Keywords: Internationalization, investment, globalization, higher education, international students