1. 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

2. Global & NationalContext1
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

3. Context (II) International fee income is beneficial to HE system2
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

4. 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

5. Rationales contnd. Socio-Cultural Rationale4
Rationales contnd.
Socio-Cultural Rationale
Promote mutual understanding
Diplomacy
Nation-building & multiculturalism (over 100 different nationalities represented at HE institutions)

6. Rationales contnd. Economic Rationale5
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

7. 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

8. Rationales contnd. Academic Rationale7
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)

9. Strategic Transformation8
Strategic Transformation
Takes into account:
Broad definition of transformation
Purpose of higher education
Rationales for internationalisation
Balancing national and international needs/imperatives

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