Higher education worldwide has been witnessing a surge in internationalization since the 1990s. A prominent outcome of this trend is the remarkable rise in international student enrollment, which, according to the OECD, now exceeds 6 million globally – a 100% rise in less than a decade. Yet, internationalization is about more than just student mobility which is often seen as reserved for the lucky few. Rather, it involves integrating a global and intercultural dimension into higher education, enhancing the quality of education, research, and societal contribution.

Frameworks such as Erasmus and the Bologna Process provide some guidance for advancing internationalization in higher education. Resulting in the European Higher Education Area, the Bologna Process spans 47 European countries and facilitates the harmonization of degree requirements,  credit transfer, maintaining quality standards, and enhancing both student mobility and employability. More importantly it aims to foster transnational cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation and in that way provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and cross-border learning. The recent European Universities Initiative, in its 6^th year of running, is an example in practice.

In the absence of a transnational framework in the Middle East, what institutional policies and frameworks can universities in the region adopt to advance internationalization? While attracting international students and boosting global or national rankings are often the primary goals for institutions, other areas hold vast potential for multiplying benefits:

1. Partner school networks: For much too long outbound mobility of students has focused on academic exchange or a semester abroad. Partner networks operate a bit differently. A notable example here is Honoris United Universities – a network of 15 private institutions across Africa, including Tunisia and Morocco. With over 70,000 students enrolled, credit transfer and program recognition are seamless, with internship and job placement opportunities crossing borders.

2. Research collaboration: Research partnerships are highly desirable, but not only with academic partners.  Partnerships with global industry leaders and reputable corporations which focus on research that is impactful, relevant to local context, and can be commercialized are just as important to pursue. Notable examples include Khalifa University and its partnerships with the IAEA and Boeing, among others, or King Saud University most recently partnering with ACWA Power to enhance research competencies in energy, water, and green hydrogen. 

3. Joint degree programs: Joint degree programs not only enhance reputation, but also internationalize the curriculum, introducing best practices and new standards, and often open new avenues for further collaboration on research and faculty exchange.

4. Alternative modes of articulation: Many universities have successfully introduced online or hybrid formats for degree programs and other courses, attracting different student profiles, tapping into new markets, growing enrollments, and attracting key skill sets. IU – International University of Applied Sciences in Germany is a great example, with 75% of its more than 100,000 students studying fully online, and roughly half of those being outside of Germany. 

While discipline-based accreditations such as AACSB or ABET, have been in place for about two decades for most universities in the region and have contributed vastly to internationalizing the curriculum, the full benefits of systematically introducing other components of internationalization are still underutilized. By implementing a comprehensive institutional framework, universities can unlock new dimensions of internationalization, fostering not only student attraction, but also collaboration, research, competitiveness, and improved employability for graduates.

Are you looking to develop an internationalization strategy and goals for your institution?  Contact us to book an exploratory session.