IZN for senior leaders and more fresh perspectives

Happy Monday ka....hope you're enjoying the first day at work or first day that is similar to all other days for quite a few retirees kaaa!

I just skimmed through several articles relating to IZN from University World News of June 1, 2018. 

A few points I've jotted down to share with you are: 

1. From an article Internationalization- New voices, ideas, and approaches by Douglas Proctor and Laura E Rumbley, it shows that explosion to study on IZN is on policy and practice. Many research studies on IZN are available yet, recent analysis of global trends in research ‘highlights a concentration of focus on a small number of (principally Anglophone) countries and a narrow range of key topics (predominantly related to the international mobility of students).’  

I’m glad that strategic decision-makers have increasingly geared their attention to IZN along with allocation of resources. The authors point out that diverse perspectives – grounded in critical, high-quality scholarship – are essential.

To understand the future of IZN in higher education, the authors propose that a spotlight be on the ‘perspectives of a ‘next generation’ of IZN specialists from around the world and prompt them to propose what they consider to be the crucial new contexts shaping IZN of higher education, new modes for exploring and understanding distinct aspects of the phenomenon and new topics relevant to its development and implementation.’

2. Another is ‘HE leaders need more training in internationalisation’ by Han de Wit. He says globally, it’s obvious about an increase in the number of ‘senior international officers’ – or SIOs, ‘putting international education front and center before senior management – rectors, presidents, vice-rectors and vice-presidents.’

Now, more is discussing quality in higher education and the need to ensure the quality of the professional preparation of those in charge of institutions’. This will enable more senior-level professionals to have a broader knowledge of international education.

The following are some of the statements senior leaders need to know ka:

·       IZN has impacted all domains of higher education policy – research, teaching and learning – and is part of universities’ mission to serve society.

·       IZN is no longer the exclusive domain of SIOs and their offices, but is increasingly part of the responsibilities of senior management.

·       For senior management, IZN has become more than overseeing the SIO and his or her office and signing memoranda of understanding.

·       For senior management, IZN is a key agenda issue at the sectoral and systemic levels, nationally, regionally and globally. 

For our IZN efforts in Thailand, it seems we could claim our progress in some areas like the position of VP for international affairs and projects on exchanges, collaborative research, and joint/double degree programs. However, there needs to be more strategic with increased genuine attention and understanding of senior administration from national to university levels so as not to be seen as event/activity-based that seem to be far too ceremonial than serious cooperation with results that can impact our own students and institutions. We also need research studies relating to IZN in our areas of focus ka. 

One little joy is that what SEAMEO RIHED has initiated a project, ‘Support for Capacity Building of the Greater Mekong Sub-region University Consortium (GMS-UC) (Phase 1).’ with collaboration of the ASEAN Secretariat under the framework of the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). It includes leadership training for presidents/rectors and VPs to ensure understanding and alignment of strategic actions. Hope it’s a success ka.