Menu of Internationalization Activities
This list provides a comprehensive overview of initiatives and programs designed to advance global engagement in higher education. Organized into sections covering Capacity Building, Academic, Institutional Services, Internationalization at Home, Mobility, and Research, it offers detailed definitions, benefits, impacts, and regional contexts for each activity. This resource serves as a guide for educators, administrators, and policymakers seeking to understand and implement internationalization strategies in academic institutions worldwide.
Capacity Building
Academics Without Borders (AWB) Initiatives
Definition: A non-profit organization supporting capacity-building projects in higher education in low and middle-income countries by sending volunteer academic experts to enhance teaching, research, and administrative operations.
Benefits: Enhances institutional capacity, promotes knowledge exchange, and fosters sustainable development.
Impacts: Strengthens higher education systems, supports local expertise development, and elevates global academic collaboration.
Country Related: Global (focus on low and middle-income countries, e.g., Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia)
African Virtual University (AVU) Content Networks
Definition: A pan-African network delivering open-distance and eLearning programs to increase access to higher education in Africa.
Benefits: Enhances access, promotes equity, and fosters digital education.
Impacts: Strengthens African education systems, supports inclusivity, and boosts continental learning opportunities.
Country Related: Pan-African
BRI Partnership Coordination Systems
Definition: Systems managing partnerships with Belt and Road Initiative countries, such as Peking University’s frameworks, to enhance collaboration.
Benefits: Promotes strategic partnerships, enhances research, and fosters economic ties.
Impacts: Strengthens China’s global influence, supports BRI goals, and elevates institutional networks.
Country Related: China
Global Community Engagement Programs
Definition: Initiatives connecting universities with communities for collaborative projects addressing global issues, such as sustainability.
Benefits: Promotes social impact, fosters engagement, and enhances collaboration.
Impacts: Supports global development goals, strengthens community ties, and elevates institutional impact.
Country Related: Widespread International Practice
Global Ranking Monitoring Systems
Definition: Systems to track and improve global university rankings, e.g., Shanghai Jiao Tong’s ARWU monitoring.
Benefits: Enhances competitiveness, fosters visibility, and improves strategies.
Impacts: Strengthens China’s global education influence, supports rankings, and elevates reputation.
Country Related: China
Intercultural Leadership Institute
Definition: Programs developing leadership skills for managing diverse global teams, fostering leadership and inclusion.
Benefits: Enhances leadership capacity, promotes collaboration, and fosters intercultural skills.
Impacts: Strengthens global readiness, supports diversity, and elevates institutional leadership.
Country Related: Widespread International Practice
International Partnership Development Workshops
Definition: Training for staff to build skills in managing global partnerships, enhancing institutional collaboration.
Benefits: Improves partnership quality, fosters networks, and enhances efficiency.
Impacts: Strengthens global ties, supports collaboration, and elevates institutional reach.
Country Related: Widespread International Practice
Participation in Global Linguistic University Networks (e.g., Francophonie)
Definition: Engagement in language-based networks (e.g., AUF for French) for mobility, research, and curriculum sharing.
Benefits: Enhances collaboration, promotes cultural ties, and fosters mobility.
Impacts: Strengthens global linguistic networks, supports education, and elevates regional connectivity.
Country Related: Africa (esp. Francophone), Global
Transnational Alliance Governance
Definition: Governance for European University Alliances, e.g., Utrecht University’s EUI systems, ensuring collaboration.
Benefits: Enhances integration, fosters collaboration, and improves outcomes.
Impacts: Strengthens European academic unity, supports alliances, and elevates institutional reach.
Country Related: Europe
Transnational Education (TNE) Hubs / Edu-Cities
Definition: Special zones attracting foreign university campuses, e.g., Malaysia’s education cities, enhancing TNE.
Benefits: Attracts talent, fosters economic growth, and enhances education.
Impacts: Strengthens Malaysia’s global education hub status, supports TNE, and elevates institutional reach.
Country Related: Malaysia
Frameworks
Frameworks allow administrators to explore international initiatives from operational and strategic perspectives.
