Deconstructing Internationalization: Advocating Glocalization in International Higher Education

Abstract

Internationalization has become more than a buzz word in recent years. It has become a leading investment, generating substantial revenues, and is regarded as an imperative in its kinship to branding and rankings in international higher education. The author deconstructs internationalization as a western hegemonic perspective and advocates instead glocalization in international higher education. Glocalization focuses on enhancing the quality of learning for local and global learner cohorts through mutual understanding and shared values at a deep level of academic and social engagement. Following a literature review, the romanticized notion of internationalization is deconstructed to expose the inherent development communication model of Western hegemony in international higher education. Next, the paper presents the glocalization engagement framework (GEF) as an equitable, inclusive, and diversity-focused international higher education framework. In concluding the paper, critical questions are raised for further research and recommendations are made to embed the GEF within the mainstream curriculum transformation agendas in international higher education. International higher education institutions are encouraged to refocus their agendas on the quality of learning within a glocalization engagement framework to enable learner and teacher cohorts to contest inequities on a glocal (local and global) scale across socio-economic and political boundaries.