Impacts of Study Abroad on Higher Education Development: Examining the Experiences of Faculty at Leading Universities in Southeast Asia

Group Submission Type: Book Launch

Description of Session

This edited volume is a significant contribution to the expanding fields of higher education development and internationalization, focusing on the impacts of faculty members’ study abroad experiences on both personal growth and institutional development. The research, conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development in collaboration with researchers from Japan and Southeast Asia, offers a fresh perspective on the role of international academic experiences in shaping higher education systems.

The book opens with Chapter 1, which sets the stage by offering comprehensive theoretical and methodological frameworks for the study. This chapter provides an in-depth overview of the research project, Empirical Research Project on Impacts of Study Abroad in Developing Countries, and outlines the study’s objectives and scope. It lays the foundation for understanding how study abroad experiences influence higher education professionals and institutions, framing these within the broader global discourse on academic mobility and internationalization. This introduction also positions the study within the context of Southeast Asia, a region undergoing rapid educational transformation, thus offering a critical lens through which to assess the project’s findings.

In Part I, Chapter 2 delivers a comparative analysis based on data collected from over 3,000 faculty members at leading universities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. This large dataset paints detailed pictures of study abroad experiences and their role in fostering the internationalization of higher education in the region. Chapter 3 extends this analysis, offering theoretical insights into the dynamic process of higher education transformation in Southeast Asia and the evolving relationship between study abroad and national development.

Parts II to V tackles how faculty study abroad impacts university development. Each part focuses on one of the four focal countries—Malaysia (Part II), Indonesia (Part III), Vietnam (Part IV), and Cambodia (Part V)—allowing for in-depth country-specific analysis. These sections explore the history of higher education, policies, and the role of study abroad in shaping faculty careers and institutional strategies. Case studies from leading universities in these countries further demonstrate how international experiences influence faculty teaching, research, and leadership. In each part, the opening chapters provide an overview of national higher education development, while subsequent chapters present detailed case studies on how study abroad has impacted specific institutions. These chapters also highlight key trends, such as the rising importance of internationalization and the development of graduate programs aimed at fostering faculty growth in Southeast Asia.

The book concludes with Chapter 14, which synthesizes the findings from the various case studies and explores the commonalities and differences between the four countries. It provides a broader understanding of the role of study abroad in shaping faculty members' professional trajectories and contributing to university development, while also considering the region’s increasing trend toward intra-Asian academic exchanges.

Overall, this volume illustrates how study abroad experiences not only contribute to research and teaching but also serve as a critical foundation for international collaborations and university-level initiatives. Moreover, the research highlights a significant regional trend: the rise of study abroad opportunities within Southeast Asia itself, reflecting the growing autonomy of higher education systems in these countries.

This book launch will offer a platform to engage with these innovative ideas, making the volume an essential resource for academics, policymakers, and educators interested in the intersections of study abroad, internationalization, and higher education development in Southeast Asia.

Sub Unit

• Book launches and Workshops / Book Launch

Chair

• Sarah R Asada, Kyoritsu Women's University

Book Launch Presenter

• Kazuo Kuroda, Waseda University