Internationalization of Universities : the causes of difference, fields of study or social background

Abstract

          Internationalization of universities recently emerging worldwide has produced several arguments concerning its aims and consequences. Should internationalization of universities serve the international learning community or should it serve the nation’s purposes? Would it create better understanding and respect of the differences between countries and cultures or would it violate national identity and national culture? Would it bring about uniformity or a diversity of university models? To date, there is little research concerned available to answer these questions.          Those who take the side of internationalization of universities to serve the international learning community usually refer to the historic movement of universities. This perspective is based on the assumption that universities in the past have gone from a global to a more isolationist period, and that the globalization of present society requires a renewal of their universal role. One who takes this side is, therefore, likely to agree that when the internationalization of universities is accomplished there would be a uniformity of university model.          The other side, internationalization of universities is to serve the nation’s purposes, though agrees with the historic movement of universities, argues that diversification of universities has been developing for a long time. There is also a trend towards decentralization and increasing institutional autonomy in many countries. Moreover, collaborations among multiple universities will cause borrowing and copying, and by that developing into more diversification. One who takes this side is likely to agree that the internationalization of universities will bring about a diversity rather than uniformity of university model.          However, in practice, the direction and success of internationalization of university will depend on acceptance and cooperation of academic staff and students. The study about the perspectives of academic staff and student on the internationalization of universities is, therefore, needed. Because it could produce a better understanding about what academic staff and students think and want to do about the internationalization of universities. Do they think differently? What are the factors that affect their ways of thinking? The results perhaps could give the answers to the argument mentioned above.          The paper, first, presents the opinions of the academic staff and students form universities in Europe and Asia whether they line up on the side of universalization or nationalization. Secondly, it studies whether social background and fields of study affect their opinions. Finally, the factor analysis is performed to examine the components of the internationalization of universities.