National policies for higher education internationalisation

What campus leaders and practitioners need to know

Higher education has long been recognised as a key driver of economic and social development worldwide. Motivated by a variety of academic, economic, political and social goals, governments around the world are implementing policies and programmes designed to spur higher education internationalisation. This article begins with a discussion of the motivations and goals underpinning government higher education internationalisation policies, and provides an overview of the relevant policymaking bodies worldwide. It then sets forth a typology of policies and programmes that categorises initiatives according to their primary focus areas and activities, and explore issues related to their effectiveness. Finally, it addresses the implications of national policies for campus practitioners, and how national-level policies and programmes can impact and be influenced by institutional internationalisation efforts.