A Study of Theories on and Pathways to Internationalization in Open Universities
WANG Yongfeng, ZHANG Shaogang
Open University of China, Beijing, 100039
Abstract: Internationalization has become a hot topic in the construction of open universities, thus prompting this study of theories on and pathways to internationalization in open universities (IOU). As for theories, this study explores what is involved in IOU, as well as indexes by which to measure it. Objective, level, capacity, and activity are considered the four elements that define IOU; these form the IOU index framework. The framework centers around raising the quality of internationalization, and embodies the principles of practical innovation, avoidance of fixed weights, qualitative and quantitative integration, attention to the goals of use, and reflection of the characteristics of distance education. As for pathways, the study discusses strategic measures and policy choices. The three strategic measures recommended are: putting in place organizational personnel and funds, formulating a strategic plan for internationalization, and implementing internationalization projects. The five policy choices recommended are: improving legal systems pertinent to distance education, openly sharing superior educational resources, establishing online open classes, promoting learning accreditation and credit transfer across national boundaries, and encouraging teachers at home and abroad to form a research community for online teaching.
Key words: open university; internationalization; theory; pathway
I. Introduction
University internationalization is currently a significant strategic theme and major trend in higher education around the globe. Internationalization has also become a hot topic in the construction of open universities. For example, internationalization is one of the core values of the Open University of China (OUC). It is a key principle and development trend in some pilot local open universities. Internationalization is of great strategic significance in improving the quality of open universities and the caliber of their students, and should be undertaken as a strategic task. There is an urgent need for further research on both theoretical and practical issues in this respect. Therefore, we set out to research the topic of theories and pathways towards internationalization in open universities (IOU) with the following two objectives. First, an exploration of theories: to research and analyze IOU's basic concepts, meaning and assessment indexes. Second, an exploration of pathways: to research and recommend pathways towards IOU, including strategic measures and policy choices. In line with the above background and objectives, this study primarily explores the following four issues: (1) Meaning. What exactly is university internationalization, what is IOU, and how to define relevant concepts? (2) Indexes. What is the mark of having achieved IOU? How to assess it? What indexes exist? How to construct such indexes? (3) Strategy. What strategic measures can be implemented to promote the rapid development of IOU? (4) Policy. What policy choices can be adopted to support the smooth progression of IOU? The perspective of this study on IOU is not strictly limited to open universities. Since open universities are a part of higher education, the analysis and exploration herein take into account the entire domain of higher education. The study uses literature review, case study and comparative study as its main research methods. It also takes care to start from the general rules of university internationalization to analyze and understand issues relating to IOU theories and pathways.
II. Studies and thoughts on IOU theories
1. Four elements that define IOU: objective, level, capacity and activity
The first task in studying IOU is to define the term “internationalization”. Research reveals that when domestic and international scholars discuss “university internationalization” and the “internationalization of higher education”, they often use these two terms interchangeably. Wang Ying analyzed such phenomena in her paper “Research Trends in University Internationalization over the Past Ten Years” and pointed out: “The two concepts are often used interchangeably in domestic research”[1]. Hence, this study chooses the term “university internationalization” to express relevant studies and practices. With regard to what internationalization means, a literature review of major scholars' works was undertaken to study the main concepts and theories on university internationalization at home and abroad in recent years (including similar terms such as “internationalization of higher education”), and this review enabled us to summarize the current state and outstanding issues in the study of the meaning of university internationalization, and draw forth the concept of university internationalization for this study. International scholars include Jane Knight from Canada, Hans de Wit from the Netherlands, Robert Freeman Butts and Maurice Harari from the U.S., and Kitamura and HUANG Futao from Japan. Domestic scholars include WANG Yibing, former higher education expert for UNESCO, CHEN Xuefei and MA Wanhua from Peking University, and CHEN Changgui and WENG Lixia from Zhongshan University.