STRATEGI INTERNASIONALISASI PERGURUAN TINGGI ISLAM MELALUI PROGRAM STUDENT MOBILITY

Abstract

Internationalization has become a trend in Indonesian higher education for late decades. Indonesian universities are competing to implement the internationalization program in various ways. However, internationalization programs at Islamic universities are often translated differently depending on the philosophy underlying the university, the leadership implemented in the university and the available resources. One of the internationalization programs upheld in the Islamic university is student mobility including inbound and outbound that can be an entrance to the development of the international programs. Student mobility programs seem to be strategic in strengthening relations among universities in this global era. In addition, this can be the first step in the internationalization of higher education institutions. Each university has its uniqueness and excellency so that this uniqueness can be used as a characteristic for a university in conducting the student mobility program. In this disruption era its very important to let students study from the real experience of global challenge. This article presents the concept of Islamic world view in the formulation of the strategy of internationalization of Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA). There are two major points addressed in this article. First is related to the Islamic philosophy employed in the university. It starts from how Islamic philosophy is carried out in student mobility program and how it has been practiced in the global context. Technically this concept is reflected in the process of preparing the nominated students, equalizing the curriculum and recruiting prospective student mobility programs. Second is related to the challenge and opportunities for student mobility as the internationalization strategy. This study about student mobility as an internationalization strategy began in 2015- 2018 by taking two countries, Netherland and Korea, for inbound and outbound programs. The consideration of taking these two cases is to represent the characteristics (though not all) of the European and Asian regions. That the internationalization process is not only formed by sending Indonesian students abroad but also the acceptance of overseas students in Indonesia. Foreign partner students must also understand that being international does not only mean going or going to west. However, other countries other than the US, Europe, and Australia are essential parts that shape the International itself. Keywords: Internationalization, student mobility, international cooperation, globalization.