Between the East and the West: Challenges for Internationalizing Higher Education in East Asia

Abstract

Internationalization is one of the most popular buzzwords in higher education (HE) these days. This concept is significantly transforming the landscape and nature of HE as we know it. Traditionally, the main operational scope of universities has been within the national territory with focus on educating the next generation, creating new knowledge, and providing social services to stakeholders, such as new industries. However, the increasing prominence of internationalization has offered new arenas for higher education institutions (HEIs) and universities. We have seen increased international students, frequent faculty mobility, cross-border programs, and joint degrees, as well as the establishment of branch campuses. The growing competition for talent and institutional reputation, as a result of economic globalization, leads to the prevalence of world university rankings and international benchmarking in order to gauge the relative performance of the HE sector in general and individual universities in particular. These events have been crucial drivers for universities pursuing internationalization across the globe.