Policy Title – Policy on Internationalization and Off-shore Academic Programmes
Policy Number – 13
Functional Area – Joint/ dual Degrees, International Research
Effective and Revised Dates – 08.11.2018
Approving Authority – The Council, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Administrative Responsibility – Vice Chancellor
Rationale & Purpose –
Considering the value of the internationalization, a) as a driving force for innovation b) creates synergies, inside and outside the institution c) leads to a higher quality of education, research and service to society d) provides content to the social and global responsibility of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura [USJP] and d) strengthens the reputation of the USJP it is expected through the present policy to;
i) Achieve more institutional visibility nationally, regionally, and internationally.
ii) Find new sources of funding.
iii) Improve academic quality and student preparedness.
iv) Increase the mobility of students, faculty members, and staff to expand the education capacity and capabilities.
v) Build capacity for research.
vi) Improve the access for students to international programs
vii) provide each student with the best possible preparation for a career in the global job market
viii) Improve the institutional operations through sharing international best practices.
ix) Develop the international content of the curriculum.
x) Increase the number of internal stakeholders directly participating in international experiences.
xi) Develop new partnerships to offer a competitive international graduate education at USJP.
xii) Provide incentives for international research.
xiii) Strengthen internationally-focused graduate programs.
Scope –
This policy applies to all academic staff, students and other stakeholders, both national and international, in order to;
i) Revise curricula to increase the international content (Faculty/Students)
ii) Implement orientation that promote awareness of international opportunities
iii) (Faculty/Staff/Students)
iv) Student & Faculty Exchange Programs (Faculty/ Students)
v) Dual Degrees (Faculty/Students)
vi) International research (Faculty/Students)
vii) International Projects (Faculty/ Staff/ Students)
Policy Statement –
1) The USJP considers international students and staff and international connectivity in terms of its teaching and research as enriching the University.
2) USJP recognizes that a commitment to internationalization has implications for curricula, teaching, research, student recruitment, fund-raising, marketing, experiential learning through student and staff mobility, quality review and communication. This policy therefore aims to ensure that:
a) Decisions regarding the curriculum, cooperative teaching and research agreements, staff and student mobility, and international projects are guided in the first instance by considerations of academic excellence.
b) Internationalization at the USJP, at the institutional level, develops within the framework provided by policies, strategies and laws at the national system accepted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
c) Internationalization will also be aligned with relevant USJP policies such as those on language, assessment of student learning, curriculum development, quality assurance.
d) International staff and students are integrated as far as possible into the daily life of the respective University and have made available to them the range of excellent services.
e) In the development of its academic programmes, in the review of curricula and in the assessment of courses offered, USJP will endeavour to follow internationally acclaimed best practice while at the same time ensuring that teaching methods and courses are relevant.
f) With respect to research programmes, every effort will be made to facilitate international links and to provide staff with the opportunity to visit foreign countries and work with international colleagues.
g) USJP encourages bilateral or multilateral agreements with institutions outside Sri Lanka when there are demonstrable mutual benefits to all the partners in the agreement.
h) The USJP follows a bottom-up approach to stimulating internationalization and recognizes that the enthusiasm of the individual students and staff involved is vital.
Definitions –
Internationalization: The process of developing, implementing and integrating an international, intercultural and global dimension into the purpose, functions and delivery of higher education.
Joint degree: A joint degree is a degree awarded by a joint decision of the partner institutions at the successful completion of a jointly offered single study programme by two (or more) higher education institutions.
Titles of related Policies, Procedures, Forms, Guidelines –
Key words – Internationalization policy, Joint/ dual Degrees, International Research