2. Per A Nilsson, Director, International Office, Umeå University, Sweden Datum Sidfot 2

3. Internationalization of education as an indicator of quality for Nordic Universities? VästKusten – Bron till nordiskt samarbete, 8-9 november, 2011

4. Internationalization of education – a short history First agreements in the 1980s The Swedish study loan system changed The Swedish government signed the Erasmus charter in 1992 Recruitment of non-European students A tuition fee system introduced

5. Internationalization of Education An indicator of quality?

6. Some data - outbound Swedish students (academic year 2009/10) 26,500 Swedes study abroad; 5,700 are exchange students 3,120 studied in Nordic countries, 360 were exchange students. Denmark most popular (68%)! 236 Swedes studied in Finland,49 were exchange students 13,150 studied in EU (excluding the Nordic countries), 2,560 were exchange students. Most Swedes want to study in an English speaking country or were they can study in English! UK received 20% of the outbound Swedes. A growing interest for studying in Asia (2,300 students), the numbers have doubled since the academic year 2005/06

7. Exchange Students Umeå University

9. Some data - inbound students (academic year 2009/10) Sweden receives 41,900 international students; 13,800 are exchange students A huge increase of international students during the last ten years, in average an increase of 13% each academic year. An expansion of courses and programmes taught in English! Many students from outside Europe are from China and Pakistan. Students from Europe come from Germany, France and Spain 1,816 Finnish students are studying in Sweden, i.e. 62 % of inbound students from the Nordic countries

11. Tuition fees introduced in Sweden Students from countries outside the EU/EES and Switzerland are paying tuition fees in Sweden. This will have a significant influence on the number of foreign students coming to Sweden Although, the Denmark situation gives us some hope

12. Student from across the entire world: PROGRAMME Business Law Natural Sciences Social Sciences Medicine (basic level) Medical School UMEÅ 9,500€ 14,200€ 9,500€ 14,700€ 24,200€ UPPSALA 8,500€ 12,600€ 8,500€ 12,600€ 19,000€ LUND 9,500€ 10,500€ 14,700€ 10,500€ 13,600€ 24,200€

13. International Student Barometer -Student survey among international students Datum Sidfot 13 Category2009 vs. 2010 (%)Sweden Rank 2010ISB Rank Overall Satisfaction94 vs. 912nd3rd vs. 4th Learning Overall90 vs. 894th9th vs. 11th Course content89 vs. 901st54th vs. 13th Living overall88 vs. 872nd9th vs. 35th Sport Facilities84 vs. 861st16th vs. 13th Social Activities83 vs. 821st27th vs. 38th Host Friends67 vs. 691st86th vs. 109th Support Overall91 vs. 891st40th vs. 13th Accommodation Office91 vs. 921st2nd vs. 2nd Counseling92 vs. 901st12th vs. 45th Arrival - Internet87 vs. 921st39th vs. 6th Arrival - Accommodation76 vs. 911st48th vs. 8th Arrival - Orientation90 vs. 881st31th vs. 16th Arrival - Host Friends70 vs. 731st66th vs. 79th

14. What are students looking for? Average daily temperature Umeå Jan-Feb 2010

15. Research at Umeå University Areas of Excellence Biological Chemistry Cancer Research Ecosystem Dynamics Gender Studies Infections Mathematics Education Metabolic Diseases The Nervous System Northern Studies Plant and Forest Biotechnology Population Studies – Ageing and Living Conditions Social Welfare Research

16. Evaluation by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education – Umeå University In 2004; how are the Swedish universities working with internationalization? In 2007 a follow up study was made A self-evaluation The results indicated that Umeå University should aim for a more comprehensive approach Establish an organization and method of including all parts of the university in working with internationalization. Further, to promote and develop strategic cooperation with other universities Quality Assessment!

17. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences – Audit of International Affairs Focus the internationalization effort on local students and assist them to develop increased global competency Use the curriculum as a tool for internationalization Benchmark yourself with more institutions of higher education Focus and prioritize Review agreements Develop a broader base of responsibility Improve coordination between different parts of the university Recruit faculty and staff with international experience and backgrounds The community of Seinäjoki needs to become more international and open to ”outsiders”

19. Exploring and developing collaboration between the Nordic Countries A need for new efforts to stimulate greater achievements? The Nordic Centre at the Fudan University a Gateway to China The Nordic Centre in India Established areas of collaboration such as: –Nordplus för Higher Education – a large number of networks in different academic areas –Nordplus Nordic Languages and Culture –Nordic-Russian collaboration within Education and Research –Erasmus tematic networks, Erasmus Mundus etc.

20. Some observations Improve strategic cooperation with Nordic universities Differences between institutions as well as study program´s Many courses taught in English Intercultural communication can be a problem for collaboration as well as learning Agreements not quality assured Few long-term studies and follow up´s

21. General Conclusions – Part 1 A growing number of university students of today have become ‘mobile’ But it seems to be a selection of students who study abroad Improvement of language skills, experience a different culture and to develop personally Swedish students express the desire to become more fluent in a language they already have good knowledge of (i.e. English), rather than a desire to learn a language of which they have limited or no knowledge English has become a global language, a lingua franca

22. General Conclusions – Part 2 International organisations and employees seem to value intercultural competence among their employers. A global life-style experienced by young people of today gives them an international network and identity, which they also seem to appreciate. Although, there are some studies that indicate the extent of loneliness and/or isolation among international students It seems as career prospects improve after studying abroad, academic learning experiences less significant Mobile students seems more frequently to have jobs with international work assignments

23. Thank you for listening!