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Internationalization Strategies in Turkish Higher Education: A Qualitative Inquiry in the Process Approach Context

Year 2018, Volume: 33 Issue: 4, 803 - 823, 31.10.2018

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explicate internationalization strategies in Turkish higher education within the process approach framework. This study is a qualitative case study. The study group was consisted of eight universities which were listed in 100 in the Times Higher Education ranking database. Some interviews with the directors of Office of International Relations were made. Eleven participants, directors of the offices, were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data drawn from interviews were evaluated with content analysis technique. The first finding showed that socio cultural and academic rationales are major motivations for those universities relatively at a better internationalization level. In academic strategies dimension, curriculum development, using a foreign language as a medium of instruction, orientation and supervising are the main educational and social activities. For institutional strategies, support of the senior management and faculty, reward and incentive mechanisms are on the agenda. In recent years, there is becoming a greater awareness about internationalization in Turkish higher education system but some policies are needed to improve the quality together with quantity. It is suggested that for a better internationalization process, coherent and holistic policies supporting each other should be developed.

References

  • Agnew, M. (2013). Creating curricular fluency across educational systems emphasizing global learning and the common core standards. Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities, Washington.
  • Backman, E. L. (1984). Approaches to international education. New York: Macmillan.
  • Başbakanlık. (2015). 64. Hükümet Programı. Erişim: http://www.basbakanlik.gov.tr/ docs/KurumsalHaberler/64.hukumet_programi.pdf
  • Burnett, S. A., & Huisman, J. (2010). Universities’ responses to globalization: The influence of organizational culture. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14 (2), 117-142.
  • Burriss, A. P. (2006). Institutional effectiveness in internationalization: A case study of internationalization at three higher education institutions. Doctoral dissertation, George Washington University.
  • Campbell, N. (2011). Promoting intercultural contact on campus: A Project to connect and engage international and host students. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (3), 205-227
  • Childress, L. (2009). Internationalization plans for higher education institutions. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13 (3), 289-309.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2002). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Second edition. SAGE Publications, International Educational and Professional Publisher. Thousand Oaks London, New Delhi.
  • Çetinsaya, G. (2014). Büyüme, kalite, uluslararasılaşma: Türkiye yükseköğretimi için bir yol haritası. Yayın No: 2014/2. Yükseköğretim Kurulu, Ankara.
  • DEİK: Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu. (2012). Uluslararası yükseköğretim ve Türkiye’nin konumu.Eğitim Ekonomisi İş Konseyi Raporu, İstanbul.
  • De Wit, H. (2011). Europe: Misconceptions about internationalisation. University World News, 10, 15-18.
  • De Wit, H. (2002). Internationalization of higher education in the United States of America and Europe: A historical, comparative, and conceptual analysis. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood.
  • Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Introduction: Entering the field of qualitative research. In Denzin N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (eds.). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Doyle, K. (2013). Faculty internationalization: Experiences, attitudes, and involvement of faculty at public universities in South Dakota. University of South Dakota.
  • Erdoğan, A. (2013). Türk yükseköğretiminin yeniden yapılanma çalışmaları: Küresel eğilimler ve uluslararasılaşma çerçevesinde değerlendirmeler. Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü Yayınları, Ankara.
  • Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books.
  • Grasset, C. (2013). Internationalization rationales, obstacles and drivers: A multiple case study of Spanish higher education institutions. Dissertation. Educational Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota.
  • Friesen, R. (2012). Faculty member engagement in Canadian university internationalization: A consideration of understanding, motivations and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 17 (3), 209-227.
  • Jang, J. Y. (2009). Analysis of the relationship between internationalization and the quality of higher education. Dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
  • KAM: Kalkınma Araştırmaları Merkezi. (2014). Yükseköğretimin uluslararasılaşması çerçevesinde Türk üniversitelerinin uluslararası öğrenciler için çekim merkezi haline getirilmesi. Araştırma Projesi Raporu. Kalkınma Bakanlığı.
  • Kalkınma Bakanlığı. (2013). Onuncu Kalkınma Planı 2014-2018. Ankara.
  • Karadağ, E., & Yücel, C. (2016). Türkiye üniversite memnuniyet araştırması. http://www.enginkaradag.net adresinden erişilmiştir.
  • Kırmızıdağ, N., Gür, S.B., Kurt, T. ve Boz, N. (2012). Yükseköğretimde sınır-ötesi ortaklık tecrübeleri. Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Uluslararası Türk-Kazak Üniversitesi, İnceleme-Araştırma dizisi, No: 11.
  • Kim, Y. E. (2010). Internationalization of Korean higher education. Dissertation.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. UMI Number: 3425397.
  • Knight, J. (1993). Internationalization: Management strategies and issues. International Education Magazine, (9), 6-22.
  • Knight, J. (1994). Internationalization: Elements and checkpoints. Canadian Bureau for International Education. Ottawa, Canada. Research Monograph, No: 7.
  • Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization remodeled: Definition, approaches, and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, (8), 15-31.
  • Knight, J. (2006). Internationalization: Concepts, complexities and challenges. In J. Forest & P. Altbach (Eds.), International handbook of higher education (207–228). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Academic Publishers.
  • Knight, J., & de Wit, H. (1995). Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: Historical and conceptual perspectives. In de Wit, H. (ed.) Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: A comparative study of Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States of America. Amsterdam.
  • Köksal, S. (2014). Regional internationalization of Turkish higher education: Turkey’s higher education policies towards Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dissertation. The Graduate School of Social Sciences of Middle East Technical University, Ankara.
  • Leask, B. (2013). Internationalizing the curriculum in the disciplines: Imagining new possibilities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 17 (2), 103-118.
  • Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills: Sage.
  • Maxwell, J. A. (2005). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Miles, M. B.,& Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage.
  • OECD. (2010). International mobility in higher education. OECD Innovation Policy Platform. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/innovation/policyplatform/48137663.pdf
  • Patton, M. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
  • Soria, K. M., & Troisi, J. (2014). Internationalization at home alternatives to study abroad: Implications for students’ development of global, international, and intercultural competencies. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18 (3), 231-280.
  • Shaydorova, G. (2014). Rationales for the internationalization of higher education: The case of Russia. Master Thesis, University of Tampere, School of Management, Tampere, Finland.
  • Stohl, M. (2007). We have met the enemy and he is us: The role of the faculty in the internationalization of higher education in the coming decade. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11 (3-4), 359-372.
  • Stroud, A. H. (2010). Who plans (not) to study abroad? An examination of US student intent. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14 (5), 491-507.
  • Tarrant, M. A., Rubin, D. L., & Stoner, L. (2014). The added value of study abroad fostering a global citizenry. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18 (2), 141-161.
  • Times Higher Education. (2015). BRICS and Emerging economies 2015. Retrieved from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2015/brics-andemerging-economies#!/page/0/length/25
  • Yin, R. K. (2003).Applications of case study research (2nd ed.). Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.
  • Yin, R. K. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Yusoff, Y. M. (2012). Self-efficacy, perceived social support and psychological adjustment in international undergraduate students in a public higher education institution in Malaysia. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (4), 353-371.

Türk Yükseköğretiminde Uluslararasılaşma Stratejileri: Süreç Yaklaşımı Çerçevesinde Nitel Bir İnceleme

Year 2018, Volume: 33 Issue: 4, 803 - 823, 31.10.2018

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türk yükseköğretiminde uluslararasılaşma stratejilerini süreç yaklaşımı çerçevesinde irdelemektir. Bu çalışma, nitel araştırma desenlerinden durum çalışması deseninde tasarlanmıştır. Çalışma grubu, Times Higher Education (2015) veritabanında ilk 100 üniversite arasına giren sekiz üniversiteden oluşmuştur. Üniversitelerin uluslararasılaşma stratejilerini irdeleyebilmek için Uluslararası İlişkiler Ofislerindeki yöneticilerle görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Katılımcılar, amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle çalışma grubundaki üniversitelerin uluslararasılaşma süreçlerini yürüten 11 yöneticiden oluşmuştur. Çalışma kapsamında görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler ise içerik analizi yöntemiyle irdelenmiştir. Türk yükseköğretim sisteminde uluslararasılaşma sürecini göreceli olarak daha başarılı yürüten üniversitelerin, uluslararasılaşmaya ilişkin gerekçelerinin sosyo kültürel ve akademik gerekçelere dayandığı bulgulanmıştır. Akademik stratejiler boyutunda öğretim programı, yabancı dilde öğretim, uyum programı ve danışmanlık gibi eğitimsel ve sosyal etkinliklere, kurumsal stratejilerde ise yönetim desteği, personel desteği, ödül ve teşvik gibi mekanizmalara değinilmiştir. Türkiye yükseköğretiminde son yıllarda uluslararasılaşmaya ilişkin farkındalığın önemli derecede arttığı ancak nicelikten çok, niteliğin yükselmesine ilişkin politikalara ihtiyaç duyulduğu bulgulanmıştır. Bu durumda uluslararasılaşma süreci için birbirleriyle tutarlı ve bütüncül aşamalardan oluşan kapsamlı politikaların geliştirilmesi gerektiği söylenebilir.

References

  • Agnew, M. (2013). Creating curricular fluency across educational systems emphasizing global learning and the common core standards. Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities, Washington.
  • Backman, E. L. (1984). Approaches to international education. New York: Macmillan.
  • Başbakanlık. (2015). 64. Hükümet Programı. Erişim: http://www.basbakanlik.gov.tr/ docs/KurumsalHaberler/64.hukumet_programi.pdf
  • Burnett, S. A., & Huisman, J. (2010). Universities’ responses to globalization: The influence of organizational culture. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14 (2), 117-142.
  • Burriss, A. P. (2006). Institutional effectiveness in internationalization: A case study of internationalization at three higher education institutions. Doctoral dissertation, George Washington University.
  • Campbell, N. (2011). Promoting intercultural contact on campus: A Project to connect and engage international and host students. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (3), 205-227
  • Childress, L. (2009). Internationalization plans for higher education institutions. Journal of Studies in International Education, 13 (3), 289-309.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2002). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Second edition. SAGE Publications, International Educational and Professional Publisher. Thousand Oaks London, New Delhi.
  • Çetinsaya, G. (2014). Büyüme, kalite, uluslararasılaşma: Türkiye yükseköğretimi için bir yol haritası. Yayın No: 2014/2. Yükseköğretim Kurulu, Ankara.
  • DEİK: Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu. (2012). Uluslararası yükseköğretim ve Türkiye’nin konumu.Eğitim Ekonomisi İş Konseyi Raporu, İstanbul.
  • De Wit, H. (2011). Europe: Misconceptions about internationalisation. University World News, 10, 15-18.
  • De Wit, H. (2002). Internationalization of higher education in the United States of America and Europe: A historical, comparative, and conceptual analysis. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood.
  • Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1994). Introduction: Entering the field of qualitative research. In Denzin N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (eds.). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Doyle, K. (2013). Faculty internationalization: Experiences, attitudes, and involvement of faculty at public universities in South Dakota. University of South Dakota.
  • Erdoğan, A. (2013). Türk yükseköğretiminin yeniden yapılanma çalışmaları: Küresel eğilimler ve uluslararasılaşma çerçevesinde değerlendirmeler. Stratejik Düşünce Enstitüsü Yayınları, Ankara.
  • Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books.
  • Grasset, C. (2013). Internationalization rationales, obstacles and drivers: A multiple case study of Spanish higher education institutions. Dissertation. Educational Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota.
  • Friesen, R. (2012). Faculty member engagement in Canadian university internationalization: A consideration of understanding, motivations and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, 17 (3), 209-227.
  • Jang, J. Y. (2009). Analysis of the relationship between internationalization and the quality of higher education. Dissertation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
  • KAM: Kalkınma Araştırmaları Merkezi. (2014). Yükseköğretimin uluslararasılaşması çerçevesinde Türk üniversitelerinin uluslararası öğrenciler için çekim merkezi haline getirilmesi. Araştırma Projesi Raporu. Kalkınma Bakanlığı.
  • Kalkınma Bakanlığı. (2013). Onuncu Kalkınma Planı 2014-2018. Ankara.
  • Karadağ, E., & Yücel, C. (2016). Türkiye üniversite memnuniyet araştırması. http://www.enginkaradag.net adresinden erişilmiştir.
  • Kırmızıdağ, N., Gür, S.B., Kurt, T. ve Boz, N. (2012). Yükseköğretimde sınır-ötesi ortaklık tecrübeleri. Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Uluslararası Türk-Kazak Üniversitesi, İnceleme-Araştırma dizisi, No: 11.
  • Kim, Y. E. (2010). Internationalization of Korean higher education. Dissertation.University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. UMI Number: 3425397.
  • Knight, J. (1993). Internationalization: Management strategies and issues. International Education Magazine, (9), 6-22.
  • Knight, J. (1994). Internationalization: Elements and checkpoints. Canadian Bureau for International Education. Ottawa, Canada. Research Monograph, No: 7.
  • Knight, J. (2004). Internationalization remodeled: Definition, approaches, and rationales. Journal of Studies in International Education, (8), 15-31.
  • Knight, J. (2006). Internationalization: Concepts, complexities and challenges. In J. Forest & P. Altbach (Eds.), International handbook of higher education (207–228). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Academic Publishers.
  • Knight, J., & de Wit, H. (1995). Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: Historical and conceptual perspectives. In de Wit, H. (ed.) Strategies for internationalisation of higher education: A comparative study of Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States of America. Amsterdam.
  • Köksal, S. (2014). Regional internationalization of Turkish higher education: Turkey’s higher education policies towards Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dissertation. The Graduate School of Social Sciences of Middle East Technical University, Ankara.
  • Leask, B. (2013). Internationalizing the curriculum in the disciplines: Imagining new possibilities. Journal of Studies in International Education, 17 (2), 103-118.
  • Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills: Sage.
  • Maxwell, J. A. (2005). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Miles, M. B.,& Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, California, Sage.
  • OECD. (2010). International mobility in higher education. OECD Innovation Policy Platform. Retrieved from http://www.oecd.org/innovation/policyplatform/48137663.pdf
  • Patton, M. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
  • Soria, K. M., & Troisi, J. (2014). Internationalization at home alternatives to study abroad: Implications for students’ development of global, international, and intercultural competencies. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18 (3), 231-280.
  • Shaydorova, G. (2014). Rationales for the internationalization of higher education: The case of Russia. Master Thesis, University of Tampere, School of Management, Tampere, Finland.
  • Stohl, M. (2007). We have met the enemy and he is us: The role of the faculty in the internationalization of higher education in the coming decade. Journal of Studies in International Education, 11 (3-4), 359-372.
  • Stroud, A. H. (2010). Who plans (not) to study abroad? An examination of US student intent. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14 (5), 491-507.
  • Tarrant, M. A., Rubin, D. L., & Stoner, L. (2014). The added value of study abroad fostering a global citizenry. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18 (2), 141-161.
  • Times Higher Education. (2015). BRICS and Emerging economies 2015. Retrieved from https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2015/brics-andemerging-economies#!/page/0/length/25
  • Yin, R. K. (2003).Applications of case study research (2nd ed.). Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.
  • Yin, R. K. (1994). Case study research: Design and methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Yusoff, Y. M. (2012). Self-efficacy, perceived social support and psychological adjustment in international undergraduate students in a public higher education institution in Malaysia. Journal of Studies in International Education, 16 (4), 353-371.
There are 46 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Journal Section Makaleler
Authors

Abdullah Selvitopu 0000-0001-5093-9444

Ayhan Aydın 0000-0003-4399-9654

Publication Date October 31, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 33 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Selvitopu, A., & Aydın, A. (2018). Türk Yükseköğretiminde Uluslararasılaşma Stratejileri: Süreç Yaklaşımı Çerçevesinde Nitel Bir İnceleme. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 33(4), 803-823.