Bamberger, Annette; (2020) Diaspora, state and university: An analysis of internationalisation of higher education in Israel. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Internationalisation is increasingly portrayed as a key feature of higher education (HE) systems around the world. It has been portrayed as both a universal and a novel phenomenon linked with the rise of globalisation. The prevalence of internationalisation aligns with analyses which see the world, and education systems specifically, converging on a common set of ideas, values, models and standards. While it is recognised that internationalisation has multiple overlapping political, economic, academic, and sociocultural rationales, historically these are usually depicted as moving from the pursuit in the post-World War II period of peace and mutual understanding; to aid and development in the Cold War period, to the contemporary period dominated by competitive and economic considerations. Despite criticism regarding the ties between internationalisation, neoliberalism, and Western values, internationalisation is usually associated with optimistic and humanistic connotations and tends to be presented as an ideologically neutral, worthwhile and normalised intervention. I problematise these claims and foci of the literature and demonstrate that they do not accurately explain internationalisation in Israel; I also suggest that they do not apply in many other societies. My aim in this thesis is to expand the historical timelines, rationales, forms, strategies, categories and actors so as to enhance understanding of internationalisation. Through an in-depth investigation of Hebrew University (HU), Israel’s first University established before State formation, I trace the formation and development of HU, and in particular its international dimensions of research and teaching, from its origins in the pre-State period until 2018. Employing historical methods and a comparative education perspective, my analysis draws on an extensive corpus of historical documents and interviews, and identifies three distinct periods of internationalisation: 1900s – 1948: Formation and development of the Diaspora University; 1948 – 2000: State formation, stabilisation and the Diaspora; 1990s - 2018: State maturation and steering, the Diaspora and internationalisation. These periods reflect the shifting social, academic, economic, identity/status, security, and political considerations of the State, Diaspora and University. Thus, I argue that internationalisation in Israel can be understood at the nexus of the events, priorities and identities of the Diaspora, State and University. This thesis sheds light on the inner workings of internationalisation in Israel and develops a model which holds considerable explanatory power for understanding its shifting patterns over time. I introduce new rationales; histories; actors; forms; and strategies of internationalisation around the role of Diaspora, opening a new category and lens to understand it. I challenge widespread definitions of internationalisation; its converging nature and reactive role to globalisation. Thus, I provide significant new understanding of internationalisation in Israel and beyond.

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