A comparative study on internationalization policies of higher education student mobility in China and Malaysia

• In Event: Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Round-Table Session (English): Journeys, narratives and identities of international students

Proposal

Higher education (HE), since its birth, has been characterized by internationalization. Teachers' “tourism” across national borders and “study tour” of students have made HE break through the borders between countries and promote the exchange and dissemination of knowledge. Cross-border student mobility has marked an important feature in the internationalization of HE and become one of the main features of HE development worldwide. As a crucial part of the internationalization policy of HE, the policy on the exchange of students plays an unprecedentedly critical role in the internationalization of a nation’s HE and its quality improvement against the backdrop of globalization.

Existant research, however, shows that most of the national studies on the internationalization of HE are focused on developed countries in Europe, America, Japan and so on. Few studies have been conducted on developing countries, not to mention a detailed comparative analysis of the internationalization policies on student mobility between China and Malaysia. China and Malaysia, both developing countries, are located in Asia and share geographic proximity, and many similarities in ideology and cultural traditions. Both countries have established a vision of educational modernization, and both are facing the double challenges of expanding the scale and improving the quality of HE. The course of development and experience of Malaysian internationalization policies on student mobility in HE provides a reference point for the development of internationalization of HE in China.

This paper, against such background, is intended to examine the historical contexts, processes and current situations of the internationalization policy of HE regarding student mobility comparing China and Malaysia. Based on advocacy coalition framework (ACF), multi-streams framework (MSF) and punctuated equilibrium theory (PET), it specifically traces the historical contexts where the policy was formulated, explores the causes behind the policy developments, compares the goals and value orientations, and analyzes specific strategies and effectiveness of policy implementation between the two countries. From a perspective of public policy in terms of policy objectives and value orientation, and policy formulation and implementation, it takes a close look at the deficiencies of the current policies and attempts to find out the influencing factors behind them, thus better addressing the emerging issues in student mobility.

This relatively comprehensive and comparative study on the internationalization policy on the student mobility between China and Malaysia will broaden the scope of current national studies on internationalization of HE to a certain extent. Implications can be drawn from this study for policy-makers of both countries to adjust policies as needed. Useful information will also go to host countries and universities so that they can better meet the needs of students studying in their countries and campuses. For some other stakeholders, such as corporations, which provide certain service for international students, this study can provide information to better serve academic and life needs.

Author

• Daling Ren, Sichuan International Studies University, China