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 largely 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 Australia and Vietnam universities. More specifically, this research seeks to unpack (i) perceptions about internationalisation underpinning institutional policies of internationalisation and academics’ involvement in internationalisation, (ii) institutional conditions facilitating or hindering academics’ capacity building in internationalisation, and (iii) academics’ agency in building their own capacity. Despite variances in the two systems, the research argues that academics’ participation in internationalisation is determined by social and institutional conditions, combined with their individual aspirations and active role in creating internationalisation and professional development opportunities. This suggests the necessity of an enabling structure and active individual agency in expanding academics’ capabilities for successful participation in internationalisation.