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| Gateway: Globalization and the University | |
Developed by Amit Prasad, Sociology The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC) is committed to the goal of “internationalization.” But what does “internationalization of the university” mean? How is this goal related to globalization? Why has the University committed itself to such a goal? How does it seek to enhance “global literacy” and “global citizenship”? What changes does it expect to its programs? Answers to these questions are not straightforward. Search for answers invariably lead us to several layers of meanings, issues, strategies, and policies that constitute the project of “internationalization of the university”. This website provides a range of web based resources designed to explore some of these questions. The website is structured around a range of key questions that an ethnographer of the university might ask. It refers to URLs that direct you to information about how UIUC is addressing the issues of internationalization. You are also provided with URLs of other institutions, in order to explore issues through a range of comparative references. 1. Definitions. What does the idea of internationalization mean, particularly in the context of the University? 6. International Experiences. How has the University sought to provide international experiences to all of its students? * * * 1. DEFINITIONS The ubiquity of the terms globalization and internationalization very often obfuscates the wide range of meanings that they embody. At a very basic level, particularly in the context of the university, internationalization is often considered synonymous to globalization. However, if we explore further, it becomes evident that globalization and internationalization have an array of different meanings associated with them. Hence before we begin to investigate how, for example, “global citizenship” can be enhanced in the university, we have to locate the university within the wider processes and forces of globalization, and to consider the project of internationalization as a possible response globalization. Following quotes provide a selection of definitions of globalization along with their web-links: they will allow you to locate the idea of internationalization of the university within the broader process of globalization. In turn, these quotes show how definitions of globalization are intimately connected to socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts within which they are being articulated. “At its most basic, there is nothing mysterious about globalization. The term has come into common usage since the 1980s, reflecting technological advances that have made it easier and quicker to complete international transactions—both trade and financial flows. It refers to an extension beyond national borders of the same market forces that have operated for centuries at all levels of human economic activity—village markets, urban industries, or financial centers,” International Monetary Fund (IMF). “Globalization can be conceived as a process (or set of processes) which embodies a transformation in the spatial organization of social relations and transactions, expressed in transcontinental or interregional flows and networks of activity, interaction and power,” David Held and Anthony McGrew. “For globalism to work, America can't be afraid to act like the almighty superpower that it is....The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist--McDonald's cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas, the designer of the F-15. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley's technologies is called the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps,” Thomas Friedman, New York Times, March 28, 1999, qtd. in Backing Up Globalization with Military Might. “The problem arises when one culture – any culture – is considered the model for an ethical subject. This is a great problem, a kind of blindness, for many of us from European or US backgrounds. Women from different cultures, at a conference such as this, must be prepared to create that vital space. We must come together to see how to think of the ‘sameness’ of the ethical subject without slipping in one culture, one history, as the model. I sense, for example, that women in Muslim societies do not want to face the stark choice of an increasingly fundamentalist society or a western 'McDonalds' society,” Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN Commissioner for Human Rights. Comment Terms such global, international, and transnational are sometimes distinguished from each other and at other times used interchangeably. A significant basis for distinction between these concepts has been analysis of the expanse of global processes, i.e. do these processes extend across the globe or they are limited in their impact, and the role and power of the nation-state in these processes. If the concept of globalization is highly contested then so is its relationship to the project of the internationalization of the University. When considering the project of internationalization of various universities and organizations, you might wish to consider how they conceptualize the relationship between globalization and internationalization of the University. * * * 2. NETWORKS The ubiquity and importance of globalization can be gauged from the fact that a search for “globalization” on www.google.com, a commonly used search engine, lists 2.79 million websites. If we search within this list to find out about websites on globalization in other parts of the world, particularly in Asia, Latin America, or Africa, most often we are taken to web sites of universities that are located in the US. These websites are a good reflection of the international expanse and reach of globalization. They also show how universities in the US have become centers of internationalization of the academia. Nonetheless, universities and institutes all over the world are increasingly engaging with issues of globalization and strategically positioning themselves in different ways to build networks with other institutions and universities across the globe. The names of particular programs or departments on globalization and internationalization and their web links (with other programs and organizations) provide a good sense of the global networks that these programs want to engage with and are located within. Following URLs will take you to web pages of programs on globalization and international studies of universities and organizations, which most often have web links to other institutes and organizations. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of California, Berkeley International and US Organizations United Nations Research Literature Emory University Comment Apart from the names of the centers of globalization and international studies in these universities check out the names of programs that are a part of these centers. Some of them focus on global economy, others on global security, and still others on globalization and science and technology. Also try to follow the web links that these centers provide (some do not). These web links will provide you a sense of the wider international network within which that particular center is locating itself. * * * 3. RATIONALES Internationalization does not have an internal logic of its own. It is a result of a variety of socio-economic, political, and technological changes that have international and transnational ramifications. For example, emergence of information technology has changed the organization of workplace. Today a company that operates from California may have employees living in Illinois or Asia and continue to work together. Rationales for internationalization of universities simultaneously reflect a response to the changing context and a strategic positioning to play a role in it. The following links will lead you to websites that explore the rationales for international of particular universities that are located in different parts of the world. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Yale University University of Victoria, Canada International University of Japan London School of Economics, UK International and US Organizations United Nations United States Agency for International Development United States Department of State NAFSA, Association of International Educators World Bank Comment At one level the rationales for internationalization for all the universities is the same – to provide quality international education and research. A closer look shows some significant differences. For example, University of Warwick positions itself as a center for globalization and regionalization. Such a position is understandable in the context of its mission to be a leader of globalization study in Europe. On the other hand, RMIT, Australia is concerned with, among other aspects of globalization, cultural diversity. RMIT’s seeks to engage with cultural diversity not only at the transnational level, but also inside Australia, with regard to the culture of the indigenous people. * * * 4. STRATEGIES Universities, not unlike other organizations or industry, have had to strategically act in relation to the changing global context. University of Illinois was founded in 1867 with the original mandate to educate children of Illinois farmers and industrial workers. At present, in response to globalization, it seeks to “become a recognized academic institutional leader of quality international education and knowledge” and is committed to “enhancing global citizenship”. A shift of this order has led to several policy decisions and reorganization of academic and administrative structures. Other universities in the US and the rest of the world have similarly instituted significant policy changes in response to internationalization of their student population and increased international exchanges in research so as to position themselves as innovative centers of “international education and research”. Following URLs provide information on strategies and policies that are being undertaken by universities and international and US organizations in response to globalization. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan International and US Organizations United Nations United States Agency for International Development United States Department of State NAFSA, Association of International Educators Comment Strategies of the universities differ markedly depending on their focus. For example, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization primarily seeks to identify individuals and programs to support studies of globalization. University of Illinois and University of Michigan are engaged in much more broad based strategies with regard to internationalization of students and faculty and to carry out research and teaching activities to cater to such a focus. Centre for Global Studies in Canada promotes programs on a wide variety of issues ranging from climate change to women’s rights and hence its strategies are significantly different. * * * 5. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Growing international student mobility is not only a result of globalization; it is also a significant cause of internationalization of universities. Michael Kennedy, the director of International Institute at University of Michigan, puts it succinctly “the delivery of global education is already realized to a considerable extent through the internationalization of the American campus and the consequent creation of a global diaspora of graduates from American universities”. United States is by far the premier destination for international students from all over the world. According to the Institute of International Education 586, 323 international students attended US colleges and universities in 2002-03. Other countries and universities are taking special measures to attract international students. The following URLs will provide information on the extent of mobility and the policy measures being undertaken with regard to international student mobility. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan University of California, Berkeley University of Victoria, Canada Birzeit University, Palestine RMIT University, Australia International and US Organizations United States Department of State United Kingdom (I) United Kingdom (II) Research Literature Christian Science Monitor Institute of International Education Survey for 2003 Comment All these universities, apart from Birzeit University and International University of Japan, are located in English speaking countries. Even in these two universities the medium of instruction is English. All these universities attract international students from different parts of the world. The demography of international students (i.e. their national identities) varies significantly in different universities. Most of the universities do not provide any statistic on international students but the websites listed above will provide you email contacts to obtain that information. These websites also throw light on the different ways these universities are attempting to attract international students and trying to take care of their needs. * * * 6. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE Attracting international students or sending American students abroad and hiring international faculty are just the first steps in the globalization of the university. The university also has to create conducive academic and cultural atmosphere in order to make the process of internationalization successful and to enhance, as University of Illinois explicitly states, global citizenship. All the universities whose URLs are provided below are actively engaged in organizing a variety of academic and cultural events to provide international experience for the academic and professional growth of their students and faculty. They will provide information on how universities are addressing the issue of intercultural relations at different levels. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan Yale University Comment Each of these universities provides resources for the organization of a variety of events. However, the particular events they are organizing and the focus of these events also reflect the way these universities are positioning themselves in relation to globalization. Some of these universities are also undertaking steps to help international students in the context of heightened security concerns, particularly in the US. Changed security concerns in recent times have had a significant impact not only on the mobility of international students, but also on their experiences. Several newspapers and news magazines have reported the difficulties faced by international students. * * * 7. PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM Internationalization of the university will remain merely a façade if no effort is undertaken to organize and orient curriculum and programs of the university to foster internationalization. University of Illinois has been a pioneer in this regard. International Programs and Studies at the University of Illinois has not only brought together a number of existing programs and centers that focus on globalization issues, it explicitly aims at “fostering internationalization of the curriculum”. Other universities in the US and in other parts of the world have also undertaken extensive efforts in organization of programs and curriculum in the light of their internationalization missions. Following URLs will provide information on the programs and curriculum changes that different universities are undertaking to position themselves strategically. Universities University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan Yale University University of California, Berkeley Harvard University University of Victoria, Canada Birzeit University, Palestine International University of Japan University of Warwick, UK London School of Economics, UK Research on Programs and Curriculum
UNESCO UNESCO American Council of Education Journal of Studies in International Education Academic Cooperation Association OECD Centre for Educational Research and Innovation Comment The websites of all these universities rarely provide information on curriculum. All these universities have a variety of programs with very different focus, even though there is some overlap. American universities have attempted to bring together many more departments, programs, and centers to coordinate their efforts towards internationalization of the university. One way to find out about curriculum changes in universities is to look at their general education requirements. Foreign language and other course requirements (such as for western or non-western civilizations) reflect the university’s approach towards internationalization. U of I has instituted significant changes in the undergraduate curriculum such as induction of global studies. |
  
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