International Higher Education: Shifting Mobilities, Policy Challenges, and New Initiatives

Cross-border mobility in higher education, while still referring to a minority of people, is a large phenomenon that is increasingly taking new forms, extending from students and faculty member mobility to the movement of educational programs and institutions, including the spread of online courses facilitated by improvements in technology. It is also a phenomenon with major implications in facilitating the flow and exchange of ideas and knowledge, improving practices, generating resources for receiving countries, and attracting talent. For that reason, the internationalization of higher education puts pressure on countries to develop a strategy that would maximize the education, political and economic benefits while minimizing the costs.

Based on an in-depth review of research and existing data, this paper examines key issues in the internationalization of higher education, assesses broad consequences, and discusses a selection of the latest trends. The paper also provides an overview of the key policy challenges and options facing governments in low, middle and high income countries as they seek to internationalize their higher education sectors while also sending their top talent overseas to acquire a global education.