Internationalization context of Arabia higher education

Abstract

Internationalization in Arabia higher education space is expanding rapidly. It has taken different shapes with no systematic approach to evaluate its success and impact. By analysing patterns of mobility; trends; and forms of academic cooperation in Arabia, a framework for internationalization is introduced. The purpose is to guide efforts towards a strengthened position of higher education in the international dimension. Internationalization promotes the idea of making the university a dynamic cross-boarder educational environment. The higher education space in Arabia is analysed mainly in the internationalization perspective. The German Jordanian University is presented as an illustrative example. The objective is to draw on its experience as a benchmark for devising a workable scenario for implementing internationalization as an important dimension of higher education. The results show the importance of the derived benefits of study abroad, program cooperation, partnership, internship, and research collaboration as essential ingredients of internationalization in higher education systems.