Indigenous knowledge and curriculum internationalization for sustainability

A decade of global scientometric evidence

Authors

  • Vinodh Kumar Lovely Professional University, India
  • Khusbu Thakur Lovely Professional University, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/sj02n785

Keywords:

Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainability Education, Decolonization, Global Citizenship, Internationalization, Higher Education

Abstract

This study presents a global scientometric analysis of how Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is integrated into higher-education curricula for internationalization and sustainability (2016–2025). Using Scopus data and science-mapping tools (Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer), the analysis examines annual publication trends, leading countries and institutions, collaboration patterns, and the field’s conceptual structure. Findings reveal limited activity until 2018, followed by steady growth and a sharp rise after 2022. The United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and Indonesia emerge as primary contributors. Keyword and thematic analyses identify tightly connected clusters centered on IK, sustainability, higher education, teacher education, climate change, and curriculum decolonization. The study shows that IK is evolving from a locally bounded practice into a globally networked knowledge domain that supports Sustainable Development Goals 4.7 and 13 while redefining internationalization through epistemic plurality and curriculum justice, providing an empirical foundation for policy and practice in internationalized, sustainability-oriented higher education.

Author Biographies

  • Vinodh Kumar, Lovely Professional University, India

    VINODH KUMAR is a PhD Research Scholar in Library and Information Science at Lovely Professional University, India. His research interests include bibliometric and scientometric analysis, indigenous knowledge systems, sustainability in higher education, and curriculum internationalization

  • Khusbu Thakur, Lovely Professional University, India

    Dr. Khusbu Thakur is an Assistant Professor at Lovely Professional University, India. Her academic interests focus on information management, research methodologies in library science, scholarly communication, and emerging trends in knowledge organization.

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Published

2026-04-05

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 9 (2026): Journal of International Students

Section

Ranking, Internationalization and Emerging Issues

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Copyright (c) 2026 Vinodh Kumar, Khusbu Thakur

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How to Cite

Kumar, V., & Thakur, K. (2026). Indigenous knowledge and curriculum internationalization for sustainability: A decade of global scientometric evidence. Journal of International Students, 16(9), 143-160. https://doi.org/10.32674/sj02n785