Questing for internationalization of universities in Asia: Critical reflections

Abstract

Globalization and the evolution of the knowledge-based economy have caused dramatic changes to the character and functions of higher education in most countries around the world. One major trend related to reforming and restructuring universities in Asia that has emerged is the adoption of strategies along the lines of the Anglo-Saxon paradigm in internationalizing universities in Asia with the intention to make the higher education systems more globally competitive. The principal goal of this article is to critically reflect on internationalization of universities in Asia. The first half of the article focuses on strategies in internationalizing universities in Asia, and the second half of the article discusses key issues related to the internationalization of universities in Asia, especially examining the implications for following the Anglo-Saxon paradigm in transforming and internationalizing the university systems in Asia. © 2007 Nuffic.