Title: Developing a framework of internationalisation for higher education institutions in Malaysia: a SWOT analysis

Authors: Milad Kalantari Shahijan; Sajad Rezaei; Christopher Nigel Preece

Addresses: UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Jalan Semarak, 51400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Taylor's Business School, Taylor's University, Lakeside Campus, No. 1, Jalan Taylor's, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia ' UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Jalan Semarak, 51400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: Higher education internationalisation has been understood in terms of the interchanging of idea networking, cultures, knowledge, and values. Internationalisation is a significant indicator for quality in higher education which has been attracting the interest of scholars throughout the world. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework of internationalisation for the higher education sector in Malaysia. This paper includes a Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) internationalisation SWOT analysis for decision-making Malaysian international HEIs. The paper reveals that it is important for Malaysia to promote itself as an 'education hub' in South-East Asia. However, there are some issues and challenges regarding HEIs internationalisation in the Malaysian context. Malaysia should seek comprehensive, attractive and supportive student packages to engage a larger number of international students. Malaysia, like other developing countries, is striving to take its higher educational system to a higher level of performance. This study is among few attempts to conduct SWOT analysis within HEIs in Malaysia.

Keywords: HEIs; higher education institutions; internationalisation; SWOT analysis; Malaysia; international students; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2016.075556

International Journal of Management in Education, 2016 Vol.10 No.2, pp.145 - 173

Received: 26 Feb 2015
Accepted: 30 Jun 2015
Published online: 28 Mar 2016 *

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