What are the rationales for internationalization of Brazilian higher education institutions? Analysis of member institutions of an association for international education

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education has gained prominence in academic research and university management since the 1990s. In Brazil, many international offices (IOs) were created or expanded in higher education institutions (HEIs) at the beginning of the 21st century. This article investigates the rationales that motivate the internationalization at Brazilian HEIs from the perspective of IO managers. A survey was prepared based on a typology that points out six groups of rationales motivating the process of internationalization of higher education: social or cultural; political; economic; academic; institutional and national. The research had the participation of 90 HEIs affiliated to the main Brazilian association for international education: FAUBAI. The results indicate that the rationales for the internationalization process in the group of HEIs studied are multiple, but the academic ones are prioritized, with emphasis on improving the quality of teaching and research.