Unit introduction

In the previous modules, the participants were made aware about the basic concepts of internationalizing higher education, both from the United States and India perspectives. They also gained an understanding of specific aspects related to the ecosystem, policy measures and best practices of collaborations and partnerships for U.S.- India higher education. The unit--Internationalization through Student and Scholar Mobility--focuses on application and implementation of key concepts such as partnership models and frameworks, partnership development criteria and the types of collaborations possible.

Internationalization in higher education is a dynamic process that enhances the global engagement of institutions through several initiatives. The mobility of students and scholars is an important area. Lakhs (thousands) of students from India are aspiring to study at top-tier institutions in the United States. In 2023, for the third consecutive time, many Indian students travelled to the United States to pursue their higher education. The Open Doors report elucidates that with 268,923 students in the academic year 2022-23, there was a 35% increase in the number of international students from India to the U.S. over the previous year. It would be of interest to higher education experts both in the United States and India higher education sector to see how collaboration between institutions can harness the benefits of mobility of students from India to the U.S. and provide value-added offerings to make their learning choices in the U.S. more robust and prudent. The National Education Policy 2020 announced by the Government of India also promotes student mobility through collaborations and partnerships.

It might surprise some, but few U.S. students come to India each year to pursue their short-term studies or degrees. According to the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22 report, a publication of the Government of India, a total of 46,878 foreign nationals/students from 170 nations across the world are enrolled in various courses in India. United States is in third position with 2,893 students, with Nepal and Afghanistan dominating with 13,126 and 3,151 students respectively.

Therefore, this unit will enable the participants to observe the mobility trends and understand opportunities and challenges of student mobility between the two countries. It will be useful to identify best practices which serve as a great knowledge base for other HE institutions in both countries to emulate and learn from. This unit will also propose new and innovative models of partnership to strengthen student mobility between the two countries.

This module explores the various types of collaboration that facilitate internationalization, focusing on the movement of students and scholars across borders. Also, by examining key reports and guidelines, such as the IIE Open Doors Report, and UGC guidelines, we will understand the trends, benefits, and challenges associated with international student and scholar mobility.

Facilitator bios

Dr. Gunjan M. Sanjeev is a versatile higher education leader driving strategic internationalization initiatives. She is the Founder and CEO of an International education consulting organization in India. Previously, her endeavors at Amity University, India, included setting up of international campuses for Amity Group, fostering international linkages with top tier Universities across the world, seeking International Accreditations and creating study abroad opportunities for students.

She has guided comprehensive internationalization of higher education (HE) for over twenty years across United States, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Singapore. She was a participant at a U.S. Government initiative on “Promoting U.S.- India Higher Education Collaboration and Internationalization” Program 2022 and a speaker at NAFSA 2023. She has visited Irish HEIs under the Government of Ireland initiative 2022. She served academic leadership roles for U.K. universities-namely, OBU and University of Bradford at their India operations, also leading QAA visits and validation processes for award of UK degrees. She has also served as the jury for the prestigious EFMD, Belgium, Case Writing Competition 2020 for the "Indian Management Issues and Opportunities category.”

She has contributed to The Economic Times (ET Government), India Today, The PIE News (UK) to name a few. She was a speaker at the QS Higher Ed Summit: Americas 2022 and the Editorial Advisor to the ET Government: Special Edition of Education Leadership Summit 2022, an initiative of The Economic Times. She has a proven track record in research and editorial work. She is the theme editor to five special issues of a Scopus- indexed international journal WHATT, Emerald Publishing, U.K. (2010-2021). She has won awards, namely, Outstanding paper award 2013 and the First category award for case study 2011, Emerald Publishing, U.K.; Best paper award, IIM, Lucknow 2005; Award nomination at COSMAR 2005, IISc, Bangalore to name a few.

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