Building and deepening a comprehensive strategy to internationalise Romanian higher education

Abstract

This chapter develops a framework of literature focused on the evolution of internationalisation of higher education. One of the deepest forms of internationalisation is a process approach, in which institutions engage in a comprehensive strategy of integrating international perspectives into all aspects of teaching and learning (de Wit 2002; Knight 1999). It is now also referred to as comprehensive internationalisation. Against this framework, the chapter explores some of the implications of international developments on the varying institutional practices of internationalisation in Romania. We focus on two key dimensions of internationalisation of higher education: the importance of the European context and the call for more comprehensive strategies for internationalisation. Related issues are the focus on internationalisation abroad and the lack of strategies to enhance internationalisation at home. Although mobility is a significant mechanism for the further development of internationalisation, we argue that mobility alone is not likely to lead to the development of global competence and mind-set for the majority of students in Romania, nor assist its universities in developing more comprehensive internationalisation strategies. For this analysis we draw on select findings from the ‘Higher Education Evidence based Policy Making: a necessary premise for progress in Romania’ project.