The Mission
This ARC8 Expert Group discusses risks and opportunities related to inclusion in internationalisation of higher education. Members are jointly working on a chapter of the ARC8 Outlook Report 2030: Inclusive and Diverse Higher Education in Asia and Europe to be presented in the summer of 2021. Experts will make recommendations for the ASEM Senior Officials and university leaders in Asia and Europe on advancing inclusion in international exchanges.
Topics discussed: equity in internationalisation, balanced mobility, access to opportunities, underrepresented groups in internationalisation, virtual exchanges, internationalisation at home, intercultural exchanges.
Expert Group Members
Session Summaries
The first session of the experts was dedicated to gather inputs to the Outlook Report 2030: Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Education in Asia and Europe. Two experts shared their views on the status quo of inclusion in higher education internationalisation, and proposed risks and opportunities to be discussed by group members. Below is a short summary of their presentations and the ideas they sparked in the group discussion.
Presented by Mr Darren MCDERMOTT, Team Leader Designate, EU-SHARE Programme
Presented by Prof Miki SUGIMURA, Vice President for Global Academic Affairs, Sophia University, Japan
Miki started her presentation by introducing Sophia University and its numerous initiatives supporting international mobility.
According to Prof Miki, one main element in rethinking internationalisation should be the element of evaluating learning outcomes. For example, OECD has been developing a comprehensive project focusing on the evaluation of critical thinking and creativity. Sophia University has joined this project to create a system for evaluating student learning outcomes.
Prof Miki elaborated on opportunities and challenges in internationalization, mostly based on her experience in Sophia University. She proceeded to discuss with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internationalization and showcase good practices for inclusion under these unprecedented circumstances.
Another element should be the introduction of blended/hybrid internationalization activities. Sophia University is moving towards a more flexible and diversified system of learning in higher education. It has joined the ASEAN International mobility for student program (AIMS) program, which was started by three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand; and has since moved to a more regional based approach.
Presented by Ms Irina Ferencz, Director, Academic Cooperation Association (ACA)
Irina was asked to make a 10-minute presentation focusing on the following 3 questions, to provide food for thought for the expert group:
- What is your take, how inclusive are higher education internationalisation policies and practices currently, what is the status quo?
- What potential risks do you foresee that could jeopardize greater inclusion in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
- What opportunities, leverage points do you see to promote in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
Irina started her presentation by conceptualizing the concept of inclusion in International Higher Education (IHE). She presented that there is terminological variety, and different expressions are used to describe similar ideas: social dimension, widening access, widening participation, inclusiveness, inclusivity, etc.
- For example, the social dimension of inclusion is defined as “the creation of an inclusive environment in higher education that fosters equity and diversity, and is responsive to the needs of local communities” (BFUG Advisory Group 1 for Social Dimension, 2020).
- From the context of internationalisation, inclusion is defined as “the process of taking targeted measures to correct access inequalities of specific underrepresented groups to internationalisation activities and/or to their full benefits. (ACA Reflection Paper, 2019).
After discussing the different dimensions of inclusion, Irina focused on discussing the target groups, and who should be further included in international HE? A number of target groups identified by Irina
Presented by Ms Olivia PARCZYK, Liaison Officer for Asia, Erasmus Student Network (ESN)
Olivia was asked to make a 10-minute presentation focusing on the following 3 questions, to provide food for thought for the expert group:
- What is your take, how inclusive are higher education internationalisation policies and practices currently, what is the status quo?
- What potential risks do you foresee that could jeopardize greater inclusion in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
- What opportunities, leverage points do you see to promote in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
Olivia began the presentation by defining what inclusivity means. To start with, the dictionary definition of inclusivity is “striving to give people access to the same facilities and wanting to enable them to take part in the same activities”. In line with this dictionary definition, and in Olivia’s own words, “the most important point is that we want them to enjoy the same experiences as anyone else.”
Olivia proceeded to discuss the status quo of inclusion in internationalization activities in higher education. The Status Quo, according to Olivia, is in-between the phase of raising awareness and adapting the structures towards inclusivity and diversity. In this regard, society has developed beyond the first phase: noticing disparity, and yet to reach actual inclusivity, which is the end goal.
Presented by Dr Huan Tuong VO, Deputy Director, International Office, International University (Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City)
Dr Huan was asked to make a 10-minute presentation focusing on the following 3 questions, to provide food for thought for the expert group:
- What is your take, how inclusive are higher education internationalisation policies and practices currently, what is the status quo?
- What potential risks do you foresee that could jeopardize greater inclusion in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
- What opportunities, leverage points do you see to promote in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
Dr Huan began the presentation by first posing the question: how inclusive are internationalization policies? This question was used as a springboard to discuss the status quo of practices and policies in Asia. The presentation was prepared came from the standpoint of Viet Nam in relation to internationalization.
Ms Ginisha DEWANI, Deputy Head Programs & Projects and Events Coordinator (Asia), International Association of Political Science Students (IAPSS)
Ginisha was asked to make a 10-minute presentation focusing on the following questions, to provide food for thought for the expert group:
- What is your take, how inclusive are higher education internationalisation policies and practices currently, what is the status quo?
- What potential risks do you foresee that could jeopardize greater inclusion in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
- What opportunities, leverage points do you see to promote in HE internationalisation in the next 10 years?
Ginisha started her presentation by emphasizing the need to accept differences within a community. She provided a breakdown of the definition of inclusion from her point of view. Inclusion consists of:
- Accessibility: in terms of access to infrastructure, clean spaces, knowledge resources, technology, tools, bandwidth connections etc.
- Equity: rural-urban, geographical, gender based, disabled, LGBTQ, persons with special needs
- Affordability: financial resources provided by government, universities, educational bodies and personal
- Accountability: education system and governments are generating adequate return or outcome via education or with mobility of education.
⇒ View the Summary of Ginisha’s presentation
⇒ View and Download PPT Presentation here
What our experts said...
