Sun, Lulu;
(2024)
International Academic Mobility of Chinese University Faculty. A Case Study of Four Universities in Mainland China.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
The thesis delves into the subject of International Academic Mobility of Chinese faculty at four universities, addressing both institutional and individual levels. At the institutional level, the research offers a perspective from university leaders on the internationalization of higher education and faculty IAM, drawing from qualitative data obtained through interviews and policy documents. Meanwhile, the individual-level research delves into the IAM experiences of faculty members, gathering detailed insights through an online survey and interviews. Its aim is to present a comprehensive account of their IAM engagement patterns, motivations, and perceptions of its impact. The insights gleaned from university leaders reveal a significant alignment in both institutional internationalization strategy and the methods used to actualize internationalization across various institutions. Additionally, university leaders underscore the advantages of IAM in fostering individual capabilities and driving institutional advancement. The motives of university faculty for International Academic Mobility included gaining academic and intercultural experiences. Faculty often mentioned a sense of professional obligation as their reason for participating in IAM. The most commonly reported positive outcome of IAM was the improvement of individual academic abilities. However, the perception that IAM is beneficial for faculty's career advancement and academic performance was not frequently expressed. The use of IAM is an important component of strategies aimed at increasing internationalization in academic institutions. However, Chinese university leaders' beliefs about the benefits of IAM are at odds with the perceptions of individual faculty members within the Chinese higher education system. While university leaders have high expectations for the positive impact of IAM, individual faculty members feel that the personal benefits of IAM have decreased. This disconnect between the beliefs of university leaders and the experiences of faculty members highlights a gap in understanding the crucial elements necessary for institutional progress and performance within the Chinese higher education system. This disjunction can have significant consequences on the overall effectiveness of internationalization efforts.
Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
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Qualification: | Ph.D |
Title: | International Academic Mobility of Chinese University Faculty. A Case Study of Four Universities in Mainland China |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Education, Practice and Society |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10198966 |



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