Published in China Educational Technology, 2012(12):pp.32-35
Construction of an Index System for Distance Higher Education Internationalization*
Wang Yongfeng, Zhang Shaogang
(The Open University of China, Beijing 100039)
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to learn from domestic and international index systems for higher education internationalization to construct an index system for distance higher education internationalization. In defining distance higher education internationalization, this paper proposes four elements of internationalization: objective, level, capacity and activity. It further examines 13 higher education internationalization index systems at home and abroad, sorts out 88 first-level indexes and classifies them into five categories. Analysis focuses on the characteristics of the index systems and what can be learned from them when constructing a distance higher education internationalization index system. The authors believe that construction of a distance higher education internationalization system should be based on the general indexes of higher education internationalization and adjusted to integrate the characteristics of distance education. The system should also highlight the characteristics of distance education and include indexes specially designed for distance education. The paper proposes a spider web model for the construction of the distance higher education internationalization index system, and initially constructs the index system. The system includes the five dimensions of higher education: strategy and funds, institution and personnel, teachers and students, courses and teaching, and scientific research. It also includes the four dimensions specific to distance education: distance teaching resources, student support, distance education quality and distance education technology. Each index dimension incorporates several monitoring indexes for internationalization level and internationalization capacity. None of the indexes are weighted.
Keywords: distance higher education, internationalization, index system, spider web model
CLC number：G434 Document code：A
*This paper is an achievement of the 2011 OUC key research project, “Study on Theories and Pathways Towards Internationalization in Open Universities” (Project No: G11AQ0007Z).
I. Preface
The internationalization of higher education is currently a hot topic. However, little research has been done on the internationalization of distance higher education. The aim of this paper is to construct an index system for distance higher education internationalization. The internationalization of distance higher education is essentially a response to globalization; it seeks to train internationalized professionals and adopt a series of activities to bring an international dimension to all aspects of distance higher education, thereby comprehensively boosting international competiveness and global adaptability. The definition of internationalization mainly concerns four elements: objective, level, capacity and activity. Among them, the key is to distinguish the two concepts of internationalization level and internationalization capacity. Internationalization level refers to the current status of internationalization and participation in international activities. It generally describes a static state or current situation. However, internationalization capacity refers to the institution’s capacity to improve its level of internationalization and implement its own internationalization strategies or objectives within a certain period of time. It generally describes trends and processes. To construct an internationalization index system, one should pay attention to both internationalization level and internationalization capacity.
II. Research on internationalization index systems of higher education
1. Index system projects at home and abroad
The authors chose 13 higher education internationalization index systems at home and abroad as the focus for their research. They are as follows: (1) Internationalization Quality Review Process (IQRP) conducted by OECD IMHE and ACA in 1995[1]; (2) “Internationalization of universities: A university culture-based framework” by Bartell in 2003[2]; (3) An internationalization quality evaluation system by the American Council of Education (ACE)[3]; (4) “University internationalization evaluation criteria” by Furushiro Norio's team at Osaka University[4]; (5) “Shandong University Internationalization Evaluation System” by Shandong University in 2010; (6) “Higher Education Internationalization Evaluation Index System (Trial)” by Guangdong Education Bureau in 2010; (7) “Zhejiang Higher Education Internationalization Planning Index” in the “Zhejiang Higher Education Internationalization Development Plan (2010-2020)” by Zhejiang Education Bureau in 2011; (8) “University Internationalization Index System” constructed by Li Shengbin in 2005[5]; (9) “Postgraduate Education Internationalization Index System” by Luo Yingzi and others in 2009[6]; (10) “China Research University Internationalization Evaluation Index” by Chen Changgui and others in 2009[7]; (11) “Index System to Evaluate Degree of University Internationalization” by Wang Xianping in 2010[8]; (12) “Index System for Evaluation of Level of University Internationalization” constructed by Wang Wen in 2011[9]; (13) “University Internationalization Level Index System” constructed by Zhang Yan in 2012.[10]