Internationalisation of Higher Education and Research
Introduction and Policy: International Relations
European universities have always had international contacts and attracted international students. However, in the past decade, internationalisation has become a strategic goal of European governments and universities, and higher education has internationalised at rapid pace.
The development of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA), a ‘Europeanisation’ or 'first internationalisation' of higher education across the continent, has been followed by a second wave of international engagement, one that has placed the EHEA in a wider global setting. This evolution can be characterised by increased competition for international students and research outreach, as well as cooperation and partnership in a wider international environment.
Internationalisation has also become integral to EUA’s mission. In 2006, EUA launched its International Agenda, which puts high emphasis on policy dialogue and partnership.
Under this strategy, EUA creates opportunities for dialogue with international partners in order to promote the attractiveness of Europe and to keep abreast of international developments affecting higher education institutions worldwide.
EUA’s international cooperation takes many forms. Through its bilateral or multilateral activities with national and international associations, EUA is considered a key player in the international academic community and a privileged partner for many associations around the world. EUA also promotes inter-university cooperation by providing a forum to its members for forging institutional alliances and partnerships which, as European universities response to global challenges and international positioning, become more and more important.
Inter-institutional cooperation has been the hallmark of Europe’s universities and is thus essential in such a globalised and competitive environment. While supporting its members in these developments, EUA seeks to draw attention to the importance of ensuring that international academic cooperation is based upon a community of interests, thus promoting 'brain gain' rather than 'brain drain' both within Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world, underlining the importance of academic values and cultural diversity, rather than cultural dominance.
Partners in these European efforts to further internationalisation include international organisations such as the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE/OECD), the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP).
EUA is also actively involved in the work of such intergovernmental organisations as UNESCO and OECD.
Internationalisation: Policy framework
The Bologna process, which has structured European university reform for the last decade, set as an initial objective to render Europe more attractive internationally.
As the first European graduates from the Bologna three cycle degree system seek to continue their academic studies internationally, the question of the external dimension of the Bologna Process grows in importance. EUA is working with its partners in other parts of the world to ensure better understanding of the Bologna degree structures and their widespread recognition.
In 2007, at their London meeting, the countries participating in the Bologna Process launched an official strategy ‘Bologna process in a global setting’. EUA contributes to the Bologna Follow-Up Group for the Global Setting Strategy, particularly with regards to the objectives of policy dialogue and cooperation with other world regions.