The Contribution of Higher Education Institutions to Development Cooperation

Examples of Internationalisation Strategies with Developing and Transition Countries from Giessen University, Germany

Research and higher education are important drivers of economic and social development. The internationalisation of Western higher education institutions directed specifically towards developing or transition countries can therefore be considered as a form of development cooperation. It implies certain responsibilities and challenges in order to diminish potential threats like brain drain or the imposition of inappropriate education or institutional models. Two case studies of typical internationalisation strategies, taken from a German University, illustrate practicable approaches and give basic recommendations.