Does Internationalisation have a role in HE Transformation? Dr. Loveness Kaunda Higher Education South Africa 6-8 May, 2013 University of the Free State Bloemfontein

Global & NationalContext 1 Global & NationalContext Internationalisation = key driver of HE Transformation (Global phenomenon) Demand for HE is up (>3mn mobile SS) SA home to 60,000 – mostly SADC&UNISA SA preferred destination SA has most highly developed HE system in Africa (value for money) Bilateral/multilateral agreements have opned up student mobility (uni-directional) SA HE system biggest producer of human capacity for Africa

Context (II) International fee income is beneficial to HE system 2 Context (II) International fee income is beneficial to HE system Classrooms are more diverse (diversity leads to innovation – i.e. Internationalisation at Home) SA is becoming the Education Hub of Africa Challenge: Balancing national priority for Access to HE vs opening up to international enrolments Joining global arena and remaining globally competitive

Why is an internationalised HE system desirable? 3 Why is an internationalised HE system desirable? Rationales for internationalisation Political Rationale Bilateral/multilateral agreements e.g. SADC protocol Cooperation, solidarity and assistance Historical/linguistic/geographic links Leads to/Results in: Student and staff mobility

Rationales contnd. Socio-Cultural Rationale 4 Rationales contnd. Socio-Cultural Rationale Promote mutual understanding Diplomacy Nation-building & multiculturalism (over 100 different nationalities represented at HE institutions)

Rationales contnd. Economic Rationale 5 Rationales contnd. Economic Rationale Education is a tradeable commodity (supply & demand) New Zealand: Int. Ed. generates more revenue than wine Canada: Int. Ed. Generates more revenue than timber and coal UK: Int. Ed. Generates more revenue than automotive and financial services US: Int. Ed. Contributed $18.78bn to the economy in 2010

6 Rationales contnd. Australia: Int.Ed. Is the 4th export product after coal, iron & gold International student recruitment is a booming industry International student enrollment in Denmark and Sweden dropped 50% when international fees were introduced in 2011/12 NB: Economic rationale tends to overshadow other rationales

Rationales contnd. Academic Rationale 7 Rationales contnd. Academic Rationale Universities under pressure to contribute to national development & economic growth Focus is away from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-intensive economy Desire for international branding and status Desire to attract and recruit talented students, staff and scholars Desire to enter into strategic alliances and partnerships (for research, teaching and learning, funding, collaboration, knowledge sharing, innovation, exchanges)

Strategic Transformation 8 Strategic Transformation Takes into account: Broad definition of transformation Purpose of higher education Rationales for internationalisation Balancing national and international needs/imperatives

Thank you for your attention! End of Presentation Thank you for your attention!