The International Dimension in National Higher Education Policies: What Has Changed in Europe in the Last Five Years

Abstract

A study conducted in 1996 on the relationship between internationalisation and national higher education policies in Europe showed that there were few structured relationships developed at the national level. Furthermore, it was found that, increasingly, economic rationales define internationalisation policies and efforts, both at the institutional and national level. Finally, it was suggested that internationalisation is expected to become a more important factor in the definition and development of national higher education policy. This article will review two questions. First, whether the international dimension has indeed become more important in national higher education policy in the last five years, and if so, why? And second, whether the identified trend of growing economic interests related to internationalisation goals has, in fact, persisted, and why? How does this affects higher education policy at the national level? These questions will be answered on the basis of evidence gathered in the final evaluation of the SOCRATES I (1995-2000) programme and a survey undertaken on the follow-up of the 1999 Bologna Declaration. The article will show that, whereas the SOCRATES programme has only had a very limited impact on system-level change, the Bologna Declaration has been a major push for the recognition and integration of the international dimension in national higher education policy. Furthermore, it will demonstrate that the economic rationale for internationalisation has indeed gained in importance over the last five years. But also that countries vary to a large extent with respect to their economic aims and interests and the instruments they use. Finally, questions are raised concerning the possible effectiveness of the Bologna process in the wider context of the globalisation of the higher education market.