1. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE.
The Portuguese Strategy
Mónica Vieira
Instituto Politécnico do Porto
Bihac|B&H 6th – 7th September 2016
Project number: EPP BE-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP
"This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein"

2. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The broad context
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

3. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The broad context
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

4. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The broad context1
Universities have always had some international dimension;
However, the international dimension of HE has changed dramatically over the centuries into the forms, dimensions and approaches that we see today.
These range from:
the mobility of and competition for students, teachers and scholars;
export of academic systems and cultures;
research cooperation;
knowledge transfer and capacity building;
student and staff exchange;
internationalisation of the curriculum and of learning outcomes;
cross-border delivery of programmes, projects and institutions;
to virtual mobility, digital learning and collaborative online international learning
1 De Wit, H., Howard, L., & Egron-Polak, E. (2015, p. 41)
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

5. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The broad context
Until recently, the European emphasis in internationalisation has been on mobility, reacting to European Commission initiatives and with the main goal of increasing the number of incoming and outgoing students within the EU1.
Nowadays, as well as international student mobility, international research collaboration and international strategic partnerships are also an important priority on internationalisation activities undertaken by European institutions.
1 De Wit, H., Howard, L., & Egron-Polak, E. (2015, p.44)
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

6. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Does Internationalisation contributes to improving learning and teaching?
92% responded “YES”
Recent studies (2015) shows that internationalisation contributes to improving learning and teaching mainly through:
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

7. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Which of the following features have contributed most to the enhancement of learning and teaching?
…. mainly through mobility of students and staff; international collaboration in learning and teaching; International students; International research collaboration
In Trends 2015 questionnaire
Sursock (2015:71)
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

8. Is there any correlation between Mobility and Employability?
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Is there any correlation between Mobility and Employability?
Another study about the Erasmus impact (2014) show that there is a correlation between mobility and employability. How?
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

9. Erasmus mobility & employability
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Erasmus mobility & employability
He main key findings of the Erasmus Impact Study tell us that ..
MEMO/14/534 
Erasmus Impact Study:
Key findings
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

10. Erasmus mobility & employability
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Erasmus mobility & employability
MEMO/14/534 
Erasmus Impact Study:
Key findings
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

11. Erasmus mobility & employability
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Erasmus mobility & employability
MEMO/14/534 
Erasmus Impact Study:
Key findings
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

12. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The international dimensions of HE is driven by a dynamic and constantly evolving combination of political, economic, sociocultural and academic rationales.
These motives take on different forms and dimensions in the different regions and countries, and in the different institutions and their programmes.
There is not one model that fits all
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

13. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
This implies that it would be beneficial to any policymaker or institution to become more informed about the fundamental factors, elements and conditions that promote or discourage internationalisation efforts before embarking on a strategic initiative in internationalisation1;
This regard Stromquist (2007, p. 100) say that should be given attention to:
(1) the major effort to recruit more international students and faculty;
(2) the considerable shift toward convergence among schools in strategies and decisions affecting the issues of governance, curriculum, and selection of both faculty and students;
(3) the growth of ‘‘star’’ faculty in the pursuit of higher institutional rankings and thus of higher number of student applicants;
1 De Wit, H., Howard, L., & Egron-Polak, E. (2015, p.54)
In conclusion:
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

14. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
This regard Stromquist (2007, p. 100) say that should be given attention to: (4) there is a sustained increase in the proportion of administrative positions, as internationalization is based on ‘‘strategic planning’’ that requires knowledge of external forces and quicker response times; (5) the expansion of the student markets leads to a dissociation between teaching and research, with increased numbers of professors in non-tenure, part-time, and clinical positions being reported.
In conclusion:
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

15. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
De Wit and others have highlighted the fundamental point that internationalisation should not be seen as an end in itself but rather as a means to enhance the quality of teaching, research and the service role of HE to society1;
Frolich and Veiga point out, internationalisation in HE, like HE itself, although increasingly influenced by and acting in a globalised context, is still predominantly defined by regional, national and institutional laws and regulations, cultures and structures2.
1, 2 De Wit, H., Howard, L., & Egron-Polak, E. (2015, p.54)
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

16. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

17. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE (general context)
Sin et al (2016, p. 177) affirm that ‘until recently, Portugal did not have a consistent policy for internationalising HE’ due to ‘the government’s lack of a clear strategy in this area and to governmental instability’.
Portuguese government assumed an attitude that was more reactive than pro-active
EU funded programmes worked as the main lever for internationalisation of higher education
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

18. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE (general context)
In Portugal HEI
1 Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities
2 Portuguese Polytechnics Coordinating Council
Diverse strategies varies according to the traditions and
academic cultures of the different disciplines
mobility of the academic community
students, teachers and staff
the admission of foreign students
establishment of degrees in association
the recruitment of foreign teachers and researchers
the integration of CRUP1 & CCISP2 in several international representative networks of these type of education
boosted mainly participation in various research projects / international cooperation
the establishment of an international environment on campus
rankings
the international scientific collaboration
Covering dimensions such
In result of that lack of consistent policy for internationalising HE, in Portugal higher education institutions assume diverse strategies according to the …….
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

19. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE
Currently due to the economic crisis and the decrease of the number of national candidates to higher education, government and HEI change their attitude towards internationalisation, as well as the shift in the driving rationale.
The rationales changed from cultural, political and academic (student and staff mobility in the context of European mobility programmes; and the enrolment of students from the Portuguese-speaking countries) to the economic one.
In 2014, government approved legislation (the Statute of the international student) allowing public institutions to increase fees for non-Portuguese students.
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

20. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE
Further more in 2014 government appointed a working group to elaborate the national strategy for internationalisation of HE that produce a report with the follow proposal for strategy:
Strategy based on institutional collaboration through the development of joint curricula; in the promotion of cooperation between researchers; and in the promotion of projects that would increase the international mobility of students, staff (academic and non-academic) and researchers;
Increase the supply of distance learning programmes including MOOCs;
Adoption of administrative measures, including the establishment of a ‘green channel’ for prospective candidates, involving close cooperation among official departments involved in the process (visas, resident permits, tax identification number, accommodation, ..);
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

21. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation of Portuguese HE
Further more in 2014 government appointed a working group to elaborate the national strategy for internationalisation of HE that produce a report with the follow proposal for strategy:
Incorporation in the internationalisation strategy of the Portuguese language, as is a major asset of the country’s HE system (it is expected that Portuguese language will be a major factor in attraction of students from Portuguese-speaking countries);
Need of significant improvement of the multilingual skills of higher education students;
Coordination of the various actions assuring that all initiatives are coherently developed.
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

22. Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Internationalisation of HE. The Portuguese Strategy
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

23. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
IPP Strategic Plan
1st Priority Axis IPP Educational Offer (portfolio)
2nd Priority Axis R&D and knowledge transfer
3rd Priority Axis Internationalisation
4th Priority Axis Governance and strategic management
5th Priority Axis People, culture and citizenship
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

24. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Strategic Ambition for Internationalisation:
Increase the attraction of foreign students and researchers (being an internationally recognised HE);
Markets diversification in order to export IPP’s educational portfolio, to foster knowledge transfer and to enhance employability;
Strengthening the involvement of the teaching staff and researchers in internationals R&D and cooperation networks.
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

25. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Aligned with the strategy the European Policy Statement :
internationalisation for employability
(internationalisation and mobility effort of IPP to improve the ability of IPP alumni and future graduates to obtain jobs);
new geographical areas (CPLP – Brazil & Angola -, South Korea, the USA, and China);
connection R&D with Innovation and Entrepreneurship
(encouraging straight collaboration between R&D groups, Internationalisation structures and Technology and Transfer Unit);
development and improvement of double/joint/multiple degrees.
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

26. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Effects of the internationalisation at IPP
Improvement of the international visibility and attractiveness of the institution;
Language training and intercultural training for students and teachers/staff (incoming and outgoing);
Internationalisation at home (international/cultural activities);
Participation in International Networks (more open institution);
Benchmarking between institutions (learning from each other);
Improvement of the quality of IPP study cycles (curriculum; learning outcomes);
Increasing participation in international projects, joint research projects (strengthening research and knowledge production);
Establishment of the credit system (ECTS) improved the transparency and transferability of student qualifications;
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

27. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
The strategy for the internationalisation in IPP
Effects of the internationalisation at IPP
The Diploma supplement, easy readable and comparable degrees (Diploma Supplement Label in 2006);
Promotion of employability
– internships and cooperation with industry/labour market
– development of the “soft skills”, which are an added value (recognized by the employer) also to find a (better) job, besides the personal development
Strengthening of links between IPP and the labour market/business;
Institutional and course information provided in English;
Setting up English/foreign language programmes (some fields);
Increasing number outgoing and incoming teachers and students;
Expanded international offices (at the school level);
Harmonised procedures applied to all IPP.
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

28. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
REFERENCES
CHE Consult, Brussels Education Services, Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung, Compostela Group of Universities, & Erasmus Student Network (2014). Erasmus impact study. Effects of mobility on the skills and employability of students and the internationalisation of higher education institutions. Brussels: European Commission. Retrieved from
De Wit, H., Howard, L., & Egron-Polak, E. (2015). Internationalisation of higher education. Brussels: European Union. Retrieved from
Haan, H. H. d., Where is the gap between internationalization strategic planning and its implementation? A study of 16 Dutch universities internationalization plans. Tertiary Education and Management, 19 March, pp
Knight, J. (2008). Higher education in turmoil. The changing world of internationalisation. Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
Sin, C., Veiga, A., Amaral, A., European Policy Implementation and Higher Education: Analysing the Bologna Process. Issues in Higher Education. London: Palgrave Macmillan
Stromquist, N. P., Internationalization as a response to globalization: radical shifts in university environments. Higher Education, pp
Sursock, A. (2015). Trends 2015: Learning and teaching in European universities. Brussels: European University Association (EUA).
Veiga, A., Rosa, M.J., Amaral, A., The Internationalisation of Portuguese Higher Education: How are Higher Education Institutions Facing this New Challenge?. Higher Education Management and Policy 18(1). OECD, pp
Mónica Vieira Bihac| 06th – 07th September 2016

29. Strengthening of Internationalisation in B&H Higher Education
Thank You
Vladimir Kush, Atlas of Wonder
Mónica Vieira Banja Luka | 07th – 10th March 2016