Institutional practices for internationalization at University of Juba, South Sudan

Abstract

The pervasive effects of globalization have put unprecedented pressure on higher education institutions across the world to internationalize. As such, internationalization has become an institutional imperative, not just a desirable possibility in higher education. In light of this scenario, I examined the institutional practices for internationalization at the University of Juba based on the seeming inadequacy of institutional practices to actualize internationalization at the University. I examined the institutional practices for mobility of students and staff, internationalization of the curriculum and internationalization of research. I used phenomenology as the research design to generate deeper understanding of institutional practices for internationalization at the University of Juba drawing on the lived experiences of 14 participants I selected purposefully: two participants from top management, one participant each from the Directorates of International Relations and Alumni Affairs, Academic Affairs, Human Resource Management, Internationally Funded Projects and University Enterprise Development, and the Research Department, and six participants from the University Board. I adopted the practice theory as the theoretical lens. I collected data through interviewing and review of documents and analyzed the data thematically. The findings reveal that institutional practices for mobility of students and staff were ad hoc and skewed to out-bound mobility; there was limited integration of international, intercultural, and multicultural dimensions in the curriculum; institutional practices for internationalization of research were skewed to pursuing international collaborations and partnerships only. I conclude that the lack of balance in academic mobility at the University of Juba is unhealthy, the skewed focus on out-bound academic mobility may exacerbate the problem of brain drain, and failure by the University to attract diversity in the staff and student population will affect the University’s reputation, status and international competitiveness; failure to integrate international, intercultural, and multicultural dimensions in the curriculum will affect the international competitiveness of the curriculum at the University of Juba; and skewed focus on research collaborations and partnerships will have negative consequences on the University's reputation, visibility and international status. I recommend that the University of Juba should develop a comprehensive institutional strategy to actualize internationalization.