International University Research Articles

Global citizenship, global access, and world-class education: constructing institutional narratives at the Sino-British universities

Purpose This study aims to contribute to understandings of how international universities in China construct institutional narratives to attract Chinese students by leveraging themes of global citizenship and international mobility. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative analysis of web and other university materials, and mixed-method analysis of social media (WeChat) to identify and quantify recurring themes in the universities’ student-facing presentation. Findings Despite differing operational models, both universities emphasize Western education’s prestige and global citizenship, primarily appealing to affluent families and positioning themselves as pathways to international postgraduate study. Originality/value The research provides new insights into the student recruitment strategies of international universities in China, contributing to the broader understanding of higher education internationalization in non-Western contexts.

Experiences and Challenges of University International Students During Covid-19: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT International university students faced unique COVID-19-related challenges and stressors, as well as anti-Asian xenophobia, discrimination, and student visa regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This qualitative data analysis study aimed to understand international university student’s unique challenges and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through phenomenological and trajectory analyses on 10 international university students’ interviews conducted in April 2020 and again in November 2020, the results showed that international students reported changes in experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, stressors, and coping strategies over the course of six months. Implications of the findings, as well as limitations and future directions, were discussed.

An educational intervention to enhance self-care practices among 1st year dental students- a mixed method study design.

Prevalence of rising stress among medical students has been reported widely and may jeopardize patient interaction and care. Evolving medical education needs to demonstrate compassionate self-care practices to enhance mental well-being of students. Although numerous researches have highlighted the stressors and coping strategies but no structured educational intervention has been reported so far among medical students of Pakistan. Hence, we explored if a Personal Development Plan could stimulate meaningful self-reflection and self-care practices among dental students. All first-year dental students of Riphah International University participated in this mandatory lesson plan. This 1-h activity every fortnightly, consisted of a thought-provoking discussion with predetermined reading material followed by SMART goal settings & later follow ups. Students were divided into 4 groups of 18-20 students with a designated trained Mentor. At the end of academic year, students were asked to submit a 500-word reflection based on their experience of understanding self-care needs (intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual aspects). A mixed-methods embedded design was used. First a quantitative analysis of the content of all 75 students' reflections was conducted using a scoring system based on the REFLECT rubric. Then for the qualitative manual thematic analysis, the researchers exclusively used reflections that scored levels 3 and 4 on the REFLECT rubric. Approximately 60% of students demonstrated an in-depth thoughtful reflection according to the REFLECT rubric. Students reflected by acknowledging the importance of self-care for their personal and professional grooming, Some observed the positive impact of working on self-determined healthy lifestyle behaviours on their physical & emotional wellbeing. They stressed the importance of physical activity, meditation and social connections in their daily life. They also reflected on reduced stress after incorporating these self-care strategies. This study supports the value of incorporating self-care strategies in medical/dental curriculum to enhance personal and professional wellbeing of students and hence patient care. Students reflected on different themes of self-care related to physical, spiritual and social wellbeing. In addition, more than half of the students exhibited higher levels of reflection suggesting that these sessions contributed to action-oriented self-awareness towards holistic health.

Faculty Members’ Perspective on the Internationalization of Higher Education in Taiwan

AbstractFaculty members are a key stakeholder group in the internationalization of higher education. However, there is scant research on faculty in higher education internationalization, especially in the non-English-speaking world. Taking Taiwan as a case study, this study examines faculty’s perspective on and role in internationalization. Based on the data collected through in-depth interviews with faculty members and participant observation at four universities, the study shows that while faculty unanimously agreed on internationalizing higher education, they held divergent imaginaries on internationalization and different perspectives on internationalization strategies. Furthermore, university internationalization affected faculty’s work lives through performancism in faculty evaluations, the emphasis on international publications for research output, and using English as a medium of instruction (EMI). In response, faculty either took an active role in internationalization by embracing the changes, or a passive role by avoiding, questioning, or resisting internationalization initiatives. Faculty’s imaginaries of internationalization and seniority ranking were crucial in shaping their responses to and roles taken in the internationalization of higher education. This study discusses the impact of higher education internationalization on faculty’s academic profession and illuminates the challenges that universities and faculty face in non-English-speaking countries that aspire to compete in the global market of higher education.

Challenges in Implementing Quality Education at INTI International University: An Examination of Human Resource Management Practices

This study investigates the challenges that INTI International University has had in integrating Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 by ensuring inclusive, high-quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning into its HRM practices. Key problems identified by the study include the need to accommodate varied faculty requirements in an inclusive environment, integrate new technologies with current teaching approaches, and attract and retain talented instructors. The implementation of HRM strategies is hampered by resource constraints, changing educational requirements, and the need for ongoing strategy modification, according to the insights of an HR specialist. The results emphasize the necessity of continual modifications to HRM practices to address these issues and forward the objective of universal access to high-quality education.

The Trichotomy of Internationalization of Higher Education, Emigration and Social Policies: a National Level Research Case in Albania on University Youth as Potential Emigrants

Aim: The research aims to analyse the trichotomy of the main pillars (education, emigration, and policies) by measuring the opinions of youth, based on the tendency of new emigration flows, the education in university that prepares them as highly skilled workers for global trades (due to curricula, contemporary preparation with knowledge according to the labour market acquisitions, and internationalisation policies), and the identification of push factors of emigration of university youth as the new and current emigration tendencies in Albania. Methods: To guarantee a national-level measurement of the university youth emigration potential, due to the mentioned indicators, the empirical data gained from the quantitative online survey research on the measurement of opinions of (N=1010) Albanian university youth, at the national level of (N=7) (all) public universities in Albania, in (N=13) departments on social sciences profile, analysed by the Statistical program IMB SPSS 26, in different statistical approach analysis, such as descriptive, frequency, cross-tabs and Kurtosis. Results: Measuring the indicators, the results show that the internationalisation of universities prepares students for the international labour market, current social policies do not favour them in the labour market, and the current economic, political and social factors turned on the main push factors of potential emigration of university youth. Conclusion: The internationalisation of universities prepares students with skills for local and international labour markets. Still, the current economic, social, and cultural anomic situation and the lack of efficient employment policies are the main push factors for the emigration of university youth as high-skill workers.

Depression among Saudi international university students and its associated risk factors

IntroductionDepression disorders are one of the most widespread mental disorders among college students. In university students, depression has been associated with lower academic performance, worse work performance, and increased dropout risk. his study aims to assess the prevalence of depression and highlight risk factors among Saudi international university students (IUS) in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia.Subject and methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi students who chose to study abroad. A self-administered online questionnaire was sent to the students using an online survey. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic data (e.g., age, gender, specialty, etc.), medical characteristics, social status, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) to assess the student's depression.ResultsOf the 401 students, 52.4% were younger (age 18 – 25 years), and more than half were males (53.9%). Most of the participants were studying in the US (46.6%), followed by the UK (40.6%) and Australia (12.7%). The rate of major depression among Saudi students studying abroad was 40.4%. In univariate analysis, major depression was influenced by age, marital status, specialty, personal and family history of mental illness, contact with family and friends, and feeling like a stranger. However, after conducting multivariate regression analysis, previous diagnoses of mental illness and feeling a stranger were identified as the significant independent risk factors for major depression.ConclusionThis study provides insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with depression among Saudi IUS. The prevalence of major depression among Saudi IUS was 40.4%. Previous history of mental illness and feeling like strangers were identified as the most prominent risk factors in this study. Identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of depression can guide academic institutions and governments in the development of effective interventions and support for IUS’s mental well-being. Future research could diversify the sample and employ longitudinal designs.

Students' perceptions of using artificial intelligence in tertiary education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various aspects of teaching and learning in tertiary educational institutes. This concise paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing research that aims at exploring university students' perceptions of the use of AI in higher education settings. Phenomenographic framework has been adapted as the methodological guide for this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among students of an international university to capture students' perceptions. Findings revealed that university students possess diverse perspectives on the use of AI in higher education settings. Four qualitatively distinct categories of perceptions of AI emerged from the interview data. It is found that university students perceive the use of AI as a) an essential academic aid, b) a facilitator of personalized learning, c) an inhibitor to critical thinking, and d) an ethical challenger. Findings have pedagogical, administrative, and ethical implications for developing AI-driven technology-focused policy that facilitates diverse student needs.

When do tourists prefer to continue using online travel agencies? An empirical study from Vietnam

Online travel agencies have profoundly influenced the travel industry by offering numerous essential advantages to both consumers and service providers. This paper aims to examine the factors that influence the intention to continue using online travel agencies in Vietnam, while also assessing the moderating effect of e-loyalty on the relationship between perceived usefulness and continuance intention. An integrated research framework was constructed using the Technology Acceptance Model as its foundational basis. The study utilized the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling approach to analyze the data. The survey data were obtained through an online survey administered to a valid sample of 301 Facebook users with prior experience using online travel agencies. Compared to conventional approaches such as telephone or mail surveys, utilizing Facebook for data collection offers a more cost-efficient alternative. This platform also enables researchers to reach a broad and diverse population of potential respondents, representing a wide range of demographics, geographic locations, and backgrounds. The results reveal that perceived compatibility, perceived ease of use, innovativeness, electronic word-of-mouth, and subjective norms all positively influenced perceived usefulness. Additionally, perceived usefulness is found to have a significant impact on the intention to continue using online travel agencies, while e-loyalty positively moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and continuance intention to use online travel agencies. These findings extend the Technology Acceptance Model within the context of online travel agencies and provide practical insights for enhancing strategies among online travel agencies in Vietnam. AcknowledgmentThe author would like to thank the International University, Vietnam National University (VNU), HCMC, for providing research assistance.

Simulation framework and development of the Future Systems Simulator

Abstract The Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC) at Cranfield University offers industry and academia an open environment to explore the opportunities for efficient integration of aircraft systems. As a part of the centre, Cranfield University, Rolls-Royce, and DCA Design International jointly have developed the Future Systems Simulator (FSS) for the purpose of research and development in areas such as human factors in aviation, single-pilot operations, future cockpit design, aircraft electrification, and alternative control approaches. Utilising the state-of-the-art modularity principles in simulation technology, the FSS is built to simulate a diverse range of current and novel aircraft, enabling researchers and industry partners to conduct experiments rapidly and efficiently. Central to the requirement, a unique, user-experience-centred development and design process is implemented for the development of the FSS. This paper presents the development process of such a flight simulator with an innovative flight deck. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates the FSS’s capabilities through case studies. The cutting-edge versatility and flexibility of the FSS are demonstrated through the diverse example research case studies. In the final section, the authors provide guidance for the development of an engineering flight simulator based on lessons learned in this project.

Analysis of Benign Retroperitoneal Schwannomas: A Single-center Experience.

Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare. The purpose of this study was to present our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of 67 such tumors. We retrospectively analyzed 67 patients with retroperitoneal schwannoma admitted to the Peking University International Hospital from 2015 to 2021. Thirty-seven of the 67 patients had no obvious clinical symptoms. Complete excision was obtained in 62 and subtotal excision in 5 cases. In7 cases, tumor resection was combined with organ resection. The intraoperative blood loss was 300 ml (20-9,000 ml), the maximum size of the tumor was 9 cm (2.5-26 cm), and postoperative complication occurred in six cases (9.0%). Compared with abdominal retroperitoneal tumors, pelvic retroperitoneal tumors had larger tumor volume, more bleeding, higher proportion of block resection, and longer postoperative hospitalization time (p < 0.05). The residual mass progressed slowly in five patients with subtotal resection, and no obvious malignant transformation occurred. Complete resection of a retroperitoneal schwannoma can achieve a good long-term prognosis. Residual tumor after surgery progresses slowly and rarely become malignant. We recommend early resection after the discovery of a pelvic retroperitoneal schwannoma.

Can positive emotional writing improve the emotional health level of international medical students? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are common psychological issues among international medical students in universities, which have serious negative impacts on their learning and life. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of positive emotional writing in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing subjective well-being among this population.MethodThis study was conducted at an international college of a comprehensive university in central China. A total of ninety-two participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in a single-blind randomized controlled trial, in which participants were not aware that there was an experimental group and a control group. Participants in control received daily psychological care weekly for 8 weeks (n = 46). Correspondingly, participants in experimental group received the positive emotional writing intervention on the basis of daily psychological care. Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and General Well-being Scale (GWB) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Data from 89 students who completed the entire study (experimental group, n = 44; control group, n = 45) were analyzed.ResultsAfter the intervention, the scores of SDS and SAS in the experimental group significantly decreased, while the subjective well-being score significantly increased. Although the SAS score of the control group after intervention was significantly lower than before, the decrease in SDS and SAS scores, as well as the increase in GWB score, were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group.ConclusionThe findings suggest that positive emotional writing can effectively reduce the depression and anxiety of international medical students, and significantly enhance their subjective well-being, providing ideas for management to solve the psychological problems of international medical students.Trial registration numberChiCTR2400087815. Registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

신입생의 대학 적응을 위한 교육프로그램 프레임워크 개발: A 대학교 재학생을 대상으로

Objectives This study aims to understand the current state of freshman programs at domestic and international universities. It investigates student satisfaction with existing freshman education programs and examines the challenges freshmen face in adapting to university life. The ultimate goal is to analyze these findings to develop a framework for educational programs that facilitate freshmen's adaptation to university. Methods To achieve this, we reviewed prior research on freshman programs and conducted various literature re-views and actual surveys on freshman education programs at domestic and international universities. Based on these, we developed survey questions to assess perceptions of freshman education. Subsequently, we ad-ministered the survey to students at “A” University and analyzed the responses. Based on the findings of this study, we developed a framework for educational programs aimed at facilitating freshmen's adaptation to uni-versity life. Results Freshman programs at domestic and international universities can be broadly categorized into pre-college programs, freshman orientations, and freshman seminars. When surveying satisfaction with freshman education programs, students expressed high satisfaction with education that allowed them to explore their majors or career paths and desired practical information about university life. The support freshmen needed to adapt to university fell into four main categories: interpersonal relationships, academic skills, major-specific learning, and personal development. Based on these findings, this study developed a framework for educational programs to facilitate freshmen's adaptation to university life. Conclusions The educational program framework for freshmen's university adaptation developed in this study can be utilized to create systematic educational programs that help students adapt well to university life.

‘한국 동요 새노래 지도’경험 탐색: 우즈베키스탄 예비유아교사들을 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to improve students' Korean language and deliver advanced Korean music education to pre-service early childhood teachers in Uzbekistan through ‘the new-song learning activities of Korean children's songs’. 65 students in the Department of Early Childhood Education at Ferghana Korea International University in Uzbekistan were targeted. Starting in September 2023, 15 weeks of ‘the new-song-learning activities of Korean children’s songs’ classes were applied. As a result of the study, interest in the Korean language are increased, Korean was difficult for TOPIK preparation.. However, speaking Korean through song lyrics is a fun everyday English. the basic composition of music was learned through the scale of Korean Children’s songs, and an integrated approach was naturally learned through physical movement activities. It is significant in that it has prepared basic data for research on Korean language classes (bilingual classes) through Korean children's song lyrics and children's music teaching and learning methods in Uzbekistan, which is envious of advanced Korean education.

Developing a three-strand approach to playfulness in learning development

In this presentation, we outlined the development of a new Academic Skills Service at Oxford International Education Group, which, whilst supporting students from seven university-based international colleges, implemented a three-strand approach to playfulness in learning development. The presentation focused on three examples of playful approaches: The use of digital and traditional game-based learning within otherwise performance-driven classes. The creation of playful spaces in the form of extracurricular cross-college book and Maths movies clubs. The development of a gamified Moodle learning system through activity badging and levelling up. These initiatives reflect current research regarding the value of playful approaches in student learning and in counterbalancing a predominantly performance-driven higher education environment (Langan and Smart, 2018; Whitton, 2018; Forbes, 2021). Firstly, game-based learning can increase student enjoyment, motivation, and participation in the learning process and promote social belonging (James and Nerantzi, 2019; Forbes, 2021). Secondly, online book/Maths clubs can operate as playful spaces where student learning is supported in a positive social environment and creativity and risk-taking become part of the learning process (Whitton, 2018; James and Nerantzi, 2019; Forbes, 2021). Thirdly, although the gamified Moodle learning system relies on extrinsic rewards, which reflect the performance-led ethos of HE (Nørgård, Toft-Nielsen and Whitton, 2017), it can also increase student motivation in completing learning activities. This presentation proposed that learning development departments, whilst supporting student outcomes and the student experience, may encounter fewer performance-led constraints compared with programme-based delivery, enabling the utilisation of playful approaches that are otherwise underused in HE.

A Study on Improving the Professional Ethics Program for Graduate Students: Focusing on an International University in Thailand

A Study on Improving the Professional Ethics Program for Graduate Students: Focusing on an International University in Thailand

The Proposal of Integrated Actions in Transport as Part of a Climate Action Plan for UNICAMP

Since 2019, the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) has been collecting data, preparing, and annually monitoring sustainability indicators submitted to the UI GreenMetric ranking, which guide improvement projects at the university in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article aims to propose sustainable practices for managing urban mobility on its campuses, drawing inspiration from the experiences of national and international universities that ranked highest in the 2023 edition of the aforementioned ranking. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods, using a descriptive approach combined with Deductive Content Analysis (DCA). This analysis was further validated by the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method known as Fuzzy SWARA. Through this process, the study identified the most commonly adopted actions by universities: promoting the use of electric and/or conventional bicycles on campus (11.8%); projects in partnership with government, state, or municipal entities to develop express cycle paths and encourage bicycle use both on campus and in the city (9.2%); conventional bicycle rental on campus (9.2%); and electric car sharing on campus (9.2%). The proposals suggested for UNICAMP include encouraging carpooling, implementing a public transportation exemption or half-fare program for employees, promoting the use of bicycles while ensuring increased campus security, among other initiatives. This research is part of a proposal for a Climate Action Plan for the university, which aims to effectively integrate sustainability into the university's agenda and support the fight against the climate emergency through necessary adaptations.

A Study on the Physiological Diversity of Hand Bathing under Different Conditions

Achieving the best outcomes and ensuring patients are as comfortable as possible are crucial goals for healthcare professionals. Hospital stress has been linked to worsening patient outcomes and so it is important to implement methods for keeping patients calm. Targeting the autonomic nervous system through hand bathing could provide answers. Associate Professor Hajime Nakano and his collaborators at the Faculty of Nursing, Josai International University, Japan, used precise tools to measure the heart rates of patients bathing their hands in waterbaths maintained at carefully controlled temperatures. The researchers used a probe to non-invasively measure brain activation and found that hand bathing decreased sympathetic nervous system activity, increased parasympathetic nervous system activity and produced feelings of relaxation. Nakano and the team conducted another study in which they activated the sympathetic nervous system in volunteers with mental arithmetic and found that hand bathing significantly suppressed the activation. This led them to posit that thermal stimulation has the potential to impact the stress responses in patients and their motivation in a bidirectional manner, which indicated significant possibilities for clinical applications. The researchers are keen to explore how altering the temperature of the hand bath can positively impact patients and an optimum temperature be selected. The team wants to ensure that interventions are tailored to the unique needs of patients and, as such, observed responses under different conditions and collected vast data that has enabled them to consider a research design that accommodated individual differences.

Fostering Inclusive Learning and 21st‐Century Skills: Creating Translanguaging Spaces in University Content and Language Integrated Learning Courses

ABSTRACTContent and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an innovative educational approach applicable to diverse settings. CLIL promotes 21st‐century skills, including logical and critical thinking, problem‐solving, creativity, collaboration, and cross‐cultural awareness. In Asia, particularly Japan, CLIL has predominantly focused on English language acquisition, often overshadowing its broader goal of developing other skills. Accordingly, a new language course has been developed to enhance both language proficiency and 21st‐century skills among Japanese and English learners at an international university in Japan. This study presents findings from a larger case study that examines student and teacher experiences within the new CLIL framework, leveraging translanguaging pedagogy. Analyzing student reflections and interviews, this study highlights the role of translanguaging in enhancing 21st‐century skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration, particularly in group projects. However, deeply ingrained monolingual beliefs pose challenges to students fully embracing translanguaging methods, despite their educational value. This study provides insights for educators and policymakers advocating innovative language programs, particularly in fostering global citizenship and diverse skillsets essential in contemporary contexts. It also highlights the importance of integrating language learning with broader skill development in multicultural educational environments.

Embedding Sustainability in Tourism Education: Bridging Curriculum Gaps for a Sustainable Future

The evolving challenges in the tourism industry, particularly those related to sustainability, demand significant revisions to current degree programs. This paper presents the design of a higher education curriculum for tourism studies at a Spanish university, responding to industry needs for broader, high-level knowledge and skills, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, digital transformation, and socially responsible practices. The curriculum prioritizes critical and strategic thinking alongside liberal reflection to empower students to lead in sustainable tourism development. Developed collaboratively with the entire tourism faculty, the curriculum design was informed by an extensive analysis of 105 international university courses, 204 job offers, feedback from 195 alumni, and ongoing consultations with professionals and community partners. Grounded in the concept of curriculum space and the philosophic practitioner framework, the curriculum integrates knowledge, soft skills, and attitudes to foster an innovative, sustainable learning ecosystem that prepares graduates to tackle the complexities of modern tourism with a focus on long-term environmental and social impacts.