International Joint Universities

Résumé du livre

The first International Joint University (IJU) was founded in Cairo, Egypt in 2002. Since then more than 20 IJUs have developed globally, 10 of these in the last five years and several more are in the development phase, symbolizing a growing, yet under researched, phenomenon in international academic mobility. The nature of the IJU transcends both the traditional university, with its strong ties to the nation, and other forms of international academic mobility including branch campuses, franchise programs, and joint and double degrees. The IJU is a cofounded institution, with independent legal status, cogoverned by two or more HEIs from different countries. This thesis on International Joint Universities (IJU) investigates this new phenomenon within international academic mobility. Determining the characteristics of the IJU within the ever-evolving landscape of International Program and Provider Mobility (IPPM) provides insight into a new model of international collaboration in higher education. This thesis defines the IJU through the identification of the underlying principles of reciprocity, collaboration and capacity development driving the distinguishing features as evidenced through an analysis of the founding, governance, positioning and functions of the IJU within the national higher education landscape of both the host and foreign partner countries. The conceptual frame for this study draws upon previous research on the internationalization of higher education broadly with a focus on international academic mobility more specifically. Conceptualization of the IJU fits within the IPPM framework which distinguishes between collaborative and independent approaches to international academic mobility. Through a multi-site case analysis of six of the IJUs across three host countries and engagement with four foreign partner countries, this study determines the distinguishing features and core principles that contribute to the IJU's distinctiveness within international academic mobility. The study culminates in the presentation of the IJU model within international academic mobility situating the IJU in contrast to the International Branch Campus (IBC) and other forms of international academic mobility. Elucidating what differentiates the IJU within international academic mobility informs practice and supports further research and theorizing of this new phenomenon.