In early March 2012, the Institute of International Education (IIE) hosted the Seventh Annual Best Practices in Internationalization Conference. Along with the 2012 winners of the Andrew Heiskell Awards for Innovation in International Education,experts in the field presented “successful strategies for internationalizing the campus” at the New York City conference.

The conference included a variety of sessions. One session discussed the importance for school officials to use strategic planning when looking to internationalize their campuses. The presentation discussed that strategic planningis important because it can “establish internationalization as a goal throughout the university community.” The panel used Case Western Reserve University and the University of Kentucky as examples.

Officials from Case Western Reserve University explained the planning that went into the creation of their strategic plan. For two years, officials met with working groups, created an International Planning Committee and a structure for an Office of International Affairs and launched a website. They know that they must continue to plan but have discovered a need for strengthening international processes and policies and better organization of international work. Officials also understand that metrics will allow them to move to the next activity and that raising funds is critical for success.

During this panel, officials from the University of Kentucky offered two best practices when internationalizing a campus. The first is to “be relevant.” This will help school officials to “advance institutional goals, honor…campus culture [and] demonstrate awareness of fiscal environment.” In order to be relevant, schools should “link the plan to regular institution news” and be sure that the goals of internationalization align with those of the school. Officials can also use general education courses to reach students. The second best practice is to “manage the details.” One way to achieve this is to have a transparent, informational website focused on the topic.

Sources:

• Institute of International Education
• Awards to be presented at IIE's annual Best Practices Conference, Institute of International Education
• Plenary: Strategic Planning for Comprehensive Internationalization: Best Practices for Internationalizing the Campus, Institute of International Education