A Comparative Study on Capacity Building for Academic Staff in Internationalisation of Higher Education in Vietnam and Australia

Abstract

Academics are seen as primary agents in the enactment of higher education internationalisation. However, the achievements of internationalisation are claimed to be constrained by the lack of academics’ involvement and expertise. This research, therefore, compares the policies and practices of capacity building for academics in internationalisation between Australian and Vietnamese universities. More specifically, this research seeks to unpack ideologies and understandings of internationalisation, institutional arrangements of capacity building for academics in internationalisation, and academics’ individual agency in engaging and building their capacity for internationalisation. Using the Capability Approach as a theoretical framework (Sen, 1992, 1999), the research argues that academics’ participation in internationalisation is determined by social and institutional conditions, combined with their individual aspirations and active roles in creating internationalisation and professional development opportunities. This suggests the significance of an enabling structure and active individual agency in expanding academics’ capabilities for successful participation in internationalisation.