Reviewing session 2: Why internationalisation?
From definition to ambition: a vision on internationalisation
The second Why internationalisation? co-creation session saw some 40 motivated staff and students discuss their ambitions in field of internationalisation. Where do we want to end up? And what action is required to reach that destination? As one of the participants aptly put it after the session: We are moving from goals and desire towards what is needed to make internationalisation work.
What is internationalisation?
In the very first co-creation session, we jointly defined what internationalisation means to Inholland, namely: a means to create a rich and diverse learning and research environment that is connected to an international ecosystem, in which students and staff are able to develop into responsible global Inholland professionals.
From A to Progress
The co-creators then used this definition to brainstorm what the ultimate goal should be and how to get there, looking at where we currently stand in terms of the learning and research environment, the international ecosystem and the global Inholland professional. From there, the participants looked at where we want to end up and what action would be necessary to achieve that goal.
Moving towards responsible creating a global Inholland professional
A movement away from an opportunity blind spot and focus on the regional to growth and connecting with the whole world. The participants clustered knowledge, attitude and skills into the action in this theme. The ideal Inholland professional should have knowledge of his/her profession in an international context as well as be aware of how to they connect with the world and with other cultures. In addition, he/she should have a growth mindset that is focused on lifelong learning whereby he or she literally and figuratively looks beyond his/her limitations. As this participant described it:
A responsible global Inholland professional is someone who can successfully compete and collaborate with people from all over the world.
Moving towards a rich and diverse learning and research environment
A movement away from the ad hoc, an insular mindset and separate components towards a learning and research environment that is always international and inclusive – and that encourages limitless learning. This is the action that the participants have in mind. When asked what the ideal environment should look like, one participant replied:
The ideal learning environment consists of places where we can meet, where we can share knowledge and experiences, are not afraid to learn from mistakes and dare to ask each other for help.
Moving towards an international ecosystem
A movement away from the detached, from internal focus and ad hoc to an integral, consciously structured look outwards. The participants see an action in which we become aware, as well as an actual part, of the global ecosystem. Getting an accurate picture of what an international ecosystem is and how its components influence and reinforce each other is crucial first and foremost. What should an ideal ecosystem like this look like? One of the participants put it as follows:
The ecosystem is reflective, open for discussion and a safe space.
Next co-creation session: from action to output
In the third and final session, we will be working toward the following based on these ambitions: What do we need to implement the necessary action? Which buttons do we need to press? Thursday, 4 November from 13:00 to 16:00
To find out more, please send an email to whyinternationalisation@inholland.nl.