The challenges promote universities to improve their performance
INTRODUCTION
UNESCO defines internationalization as the multiplicity of policies and programs that universities and public authorities put into practice against globalization (globalization), normally consisting of sending students to study abroad, establishing subsidiaries in other countries or establishingSome type of inter -institutional association relationship. The internationalization of higher education has gone to the forefront since it is necessary to increase competitiveness, improve the quality of education and create better conditions for the development of countries22.
Worldwide, the International Association of Universities (AIU) promoted by UNESCO, groups institutions from 150 countries and has among its objectives the internationalization of higher education3. In Europe, the Bologna process that brings together 40 countries in a space without mobility limits of students and teachers is another example of this type of international commitment4. In Latin America, the Latin American and Caribbean Meeting Space of Higher Education (Links) coordinated by UNESCO5 and the Mercosur Educational Sector (SEM) 6 could be the institutional frameworks that allow us to travel, in the near future, by that path.
Developing
The numerous challenges, which are emerging at the time the new century arrives, drives universities to seek a much higher degree of internationalization. Globalization culture, science, technologies demand from our university students a much more solid and competitive level of competence and training. It is necessary, then, that the institutions are prepared to offer solutions to these new challenges.
This work seeks to analyze the process of internationalization trends as a challenge and challenge in the higher education system. This analysis is of great relevance for our training as future teachers in a globalized world. Preparing citizens of the future for an interconnected world requires a higher education system at least in the process of internationalization. Next, current trends, reasons and benefits and challenges of this process are analyzed.
- Internationalization trends in higher education
The internationalization of higher education in Latin America focuses mainly on the mobility of academic networks abroad7. The mobility of students and teachers is considered by Knight as the most important reason to give priority to the internationalization of higher education and as the most dynamic aspect of this process8. Next, the main internationalization trends in higher education are described.
- Exchanges
Academic exchanges programs lead to reside for a certain time in another country to study a specific career, but also to learn languages and meet new cultures9. Many universities and programs offer this option even for their students to carry out part of their studies at another institution abroad or to receive students from other countries.
- Long distance education
Distance education is a teaching modality in which students do not require physically attending the place of studies10. In this teaching model, the student receives the study material personally, by email or through an Internet platform for this purpose. This teaching modality allows new learning techniques and strategies focused on the student himself, thus promoting self-taught and self-management.
- Double diploma programs
This type of program consists of studying two degrees of the same branch simultaneously. Two degrees are usually combined with some thematic coincidence or that are complemented in some way to guarantee a broader and more complete vision of a specific field of knowledge and its subsequent labor application1111. This type of programs reduces the time and costs that would entail studying two programs.
- Benefits of Internationalization of Higher Education
Brunner, recommends to achieve the modernization of higher education in Latin America its internationalization12. This trend is no more option and if a current need towards globalization. This process usually entails benefits not only for the institution, students and teachers if not for the country or region as they are:
- Greater competitiveness
Through internationalization, universities can compete with the best and higher education institutions worldwide. Once the institution determines and establishes that it is in the process of internationalization, it becomes part of a select group of avant -garde institutions with the possibility of expanding quality education through strategic alliances. This competitiveness also extends when attracting new students. In a highly competitive education market, internationalization increases the differential acceptance of students.
- ] Access to resources
Institutions that are in the process of internationalization have more opportunities to apply to national and international and more possibilities to acquire them for improvements in infrastructure, project development, etc. When obtaining these resources, they can produce and publish scientific results in world -renowned magazines, send students to other institutions in order to offer them the best schooling possibilities and form a qualified critical mass to compete globally.
- New insights
The internationalization of higher education provides the opportunity to learn from a different perspective, listen to other opinions and witness other events which potentiates the acquired knowledge. Through associations with foreign students and professionals, or through their participation in international networks, common problems can be identified, finding solutions for these problems.
- Academic and professional growth
Each of the parties can obtain as a result of an international experience, whether living abroad or sharing with people from other nationalities in the campus an increase in their academic and professional level. The inclusion of literature of authors of other nationalities, case studies and knowledge exchange viable the internationalization of the curriculum which represents a great differential.
- Cultural benefits
The presence of foreigners, their language, customs, beliefs and values greatly enrich the educational environment. Through the cultural exchange given by internationalization, students and teachers expand their intercultural skills due to the understanding of different cultures.
- BENEFITS FOR THE COUNTRY
Once a country or region has internationalized higher education institutions, it is easierGreat benefits for society.
- Challenges and challenges of internationalization in higher education
It is convenient to identify priorities and good practices that allow moving towards appropriate institutional strategies to face the scenario of the growing and irreversible internationalization of higher education. The internationalization process presupposes cooperation in all its forms: scientific, technological, academic cooperation;and at its different levels.
The internationalization of higher education institutions has various challenges and challenges that include the absence of awareness of the academic community, passive attitudes from the teaching and discontent body, non -existence of clear strategies for internationalization, unavailability or inviability of adaptation of foreign communities, linguistic barriers, among others.
On the other hand, internationalization requires investment that is often difficult to achieve since the return of this investment is only perceived in the long term. Fund collection is strongly linked to the institution’s ability to promote its active inclusion in discussions of international problems, which always actively contemplate the components of the understanding of global society and the problems of international communities.
Internationalization also requires a process of evaluation and improvement of the institution itself. Only institutions with a certain level will be considered suitable for international agreements and projects. The infrastructure of a university, for example, is of great relevance to be considered as an university with an international level and to be able to receive students from abroad who will only apply to that university if it has the necessary attraction. Similarly, only students and professionals with some performance will be selected to direct or be part of these projects. Finally, an institutional framework that can coordinate higher education policies and create an agenda of university policies is fundamental.
Conclusions
The internationalization of higher education includes trends such as the mobility of students, teachers and researchers. Through internationalization and its international cooperation actions, institutions can acquire visibility and international recognition;attract students from various parts of the world, and seek academic excellence. Programs focused on the internationalization of higher education can result in great economic and cultural benefits for wrapped institutions, their teaching and discatement, as well as for the country or region where they are located. When analyzing the internationalization process of higher education, great challenges and challenges can be identified that must be addressed mainly in Latin America, the main challenges being the need for public policies, investment and commitment of all parties.
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