The Internalization of Higher Education in Brazil: A Critical Review

Abstract

This paper analyzes the internalization of higher education in Brazil in a wide context of South-South and North-South context. This kind of cooperation includes specific activities, mainly research partnerships, projects and programs involving the transference, generation and dissemination of technical knowledge, successful experiences and training of human resources. This paper focuses on a case study methodology having the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB) as a contemporary model for professional training. UCB was chosen as one renowned higher education institution which is embracing the endeavor of sending scholars and alumni abroad preparing them to assume high level posts in the Brazilian government. With this objective it is possible to respond to the challenges of globalization and provide positive innovations through teaching, research, and the insertion of talented young students in renowned universities in Europe, East and South Asia, as well as in Latin America. In a macro context, the Brazilian government is supporting targeted investments in science and higher education and efforts to strengthen Brazil’s research capacity and the circulation of brains. Public and private universities are marking a new era in the internationalization of higher education in the country, as a driving force for global training for their graduates.