Globalisation has accelerated the pace of internationalisation of higher education (IoHE) worldwide, including our 3 target countries in the South Asian (SA) region, Afghanistan (AF), India (IN) and Nepal (NP). The globalised market requires graduates to have international (int’l), foreign language and intercultural skills to communicate with int’l clients. Higher education institutions (HEIs) plays a critical role in preparing and facilitating a skilled, knowledge workforce, they are placing more importance on internationalisation. However, SA, home to a 25% of the world’s population & a youthful region with more than 600 million people under 18 (UNICEF 2015), has failed to respond to the demand on IoHE. The poor internationalisation practices in the region may jeopardise the socio-economic development by unfulfilling the preparation of students’ employability & limiting the int’l profile of the HEIs. MERGE has taken an endogenous approach to address the challenges. It commences with a benchmarking exercise to standardise internationalisation practice alongside 2 study visits to EU. After that, it equips 366 people (incl. non-consortium partners) via 6 trainings and 6 English courses to develop strategic goals for both IROs and institutions until 2025. Meanwhile, 5 national activities will be organised to promote IROs’ services, e.g. 6 mobility weeks and 6 video filmed. To enhance the student mobility services, 1 guideline will be developed which can be adapted by 6 PC HEIs and other HEIs. A 45-member regional network will be established to encourage regional cooperation and integration. To increase MERGE exposure on the international platform, 2 international conferences will be organised to stimulate cooperation and dialogue. The sustainability and long-term impact of MERGE is ensured by enhanced institutional capacity and engaging non-consortium partners.
To improve internationalisation practices by strengthening institutional capacity in South Asian HEIs at regional level. Enhancing of: i) Capacity building in implementing international dimension (delivery of tailor‐made trainings and accreditation of strategic plans for the institutional development on internationalisation and International Relations Offices (IROs); ii) Fostering national awareness and regional integration by establishing a regional network on internationalisation on HE in SA.
The MERGE partnership was developed as a step consequent to the results of the CBHE “EQASA” project 574078-2016 among South Asia (SA) - Afghanistan, India, Nepal - Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).Once defined by EQASA a common background on quality assurance, MERGE project has been set-up to face the challenge of the international dimension in South Asia HEIs, then in such a complex geopolitical area where definition of a vision of international dimension of the HEIs is still in progress.
<< Background >> The MERGE partnership was developed as a step consequent to the results of the CBHE “EQASA” project 574078-2016 among South Asia (SA) - Afghanistan, India, Nepal - Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).Once defined by EQASA a common background on quality assurance, MERGE project has been set-up to face the challenge of the international dimension in South Asia HEIs, then in such a complex geopolitical area where definition of a vision of international dimension of the HEIs is still in progress. << Objectives >> To improve internationalisation practices by strengthening institutional capacity in South Asian HEIs at regional level. Enhancing of: i) Capacity building in implementing international dimension (delivery of tailor‐made trainings and accreditation of strategic plans for the institutional development on internationalisation and International Relations Offices (IROs); ii) Fostering national awareness and regional integration by establishing a regional network on internationalisation on HE in SA. << Implementation >> SWOT analysis + benchmarking to compare national, regional & institutional practices in SA & EU. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the Partner Countries' Universities (PCUs). Then, specialized training sets were delivered by EU partners to PCUs' staff. After upgrading PCUs' staff knowledge, strategic plans for IROs and guidelines to streamline student mobility services have been elaborated. Finally, an official regional network for internationalisation in SA was established. << Results >> By a bilateral analysis approach, a benchmarking report was issued and shared. By training sets PCUs' staff has increased awareness, know-how and methodology skills. IROs were technically upgraded by equipment. IROs strategic plans were elaborated and adopted for 2021-2025, as well as some institutional strategic plans for internationalization. Regional cooperation and integration is enhanced by officialized Network. Evidence of these deliverables, incl. training, are uploaded on new website.