Convergence and Internationalization of Higher Education in Europe

Abstract

This chapter approaches the internationalization of higher education in Europe in terms of its relationship with convergence trends in European higher education. It starts with illustrating a relationship of mutual influence between convergence and internationalization at a conceptual level. The chapter looks at developments of European higher education over the past two decades, including the Bologna process, as triggers for increased harmonization of the European higher education systems. Among others, the internationalization of higher education is a way forward in implementing the Bologna process. These aspects are illustrated on a national example: Romania, through the influences of European, national, and institutional developments on the internationalization of higher education. The analysis at institutional level comprises a review conducted for all the 92 accredited universities from Romania, public and private. The study searches the information available on universities' Websites in relation with their internationalization processes. The chapter ends with the discussion of the internationalization process as a trigger and as a way forward for increased convergence in European higher education from multiple perspectives that are applied to Romania: conceptual and applied, European, national and institutional, and strategic and operational.