Global Perspectives in Higher Education: Antonius Raghubansie

Written by Antonius Raghubansie, Keele University

Q: How has internationalisation shaped your institution's strategic vision over the past five years, and what specific initiatives have proven most successful? 

A: Our recruitment team was re-organised with a more defined focus on priority markets and increasing specialisation. Keele brought in external specialists to deliver a range of potential international opportunities to create a garden of options to stimulate innovation. China as the main test bed for international partnerships. The University launched its International College. The University appointed its first Pro Vice-Chancellor International. Focus on diversification and keystone partnerships. Our thinking moved towards scale or bail. Or you will fail. 

Q: What do you see as the greatest opportunity for international collaboration in higher education today, and how is your institution positioned to capitalise on it?

A: The retreating role of the United States, and I had hoped the UK does not take a snail's walk on their coat tails, but it seems likely more unwelcoming messages will go out to our key countries with the results of the recent local government elections

Mutuality in approach and action. A focus on tangible, agreed problems that can be solved with the input of both parties. Keele is well-positioned because of its historical results in changing the lives of the community in a multi-decade focus on re-generation. The majority of its global research is on and with low and middle-income countries. Increasingly our footprint is in Asia. Opportunity is in the eye of the beholder and ready for those with quick feet.

Q: In your view, what is the most significant challenge facing international higher education partnerships, and what approaches have you found effective in addressing it?

A: Weak leadership as a sector as Asia runs away - creatively and in terms of volume. There is too much angst and not enough acceptance and action in the UK. Some of the sector have become less addicted to home student loans income, but the majority have very narrow income streams, do little to expand those and spend much time wringing their hands. 

You now have to work as hard internally as externally to open doors for the university. There is no tap to turn on or off at will. Working closely with your executive and bringing in links to new and old sources of insight and knowledge is needed to break those barriers.

Q: How do you balance the economic incentives of international student recruitment with broader academic and cultural exchange goals in your institution's internationalisation strategy?

A: Uneasily. The UK has low outward mobility, the West Midlands more so and Stafford even less so. Yet a curious figure worth pondering is that more than 75% of UK trade passes through the region. Many of our students work in global supply chains. Some large, international organisations are based in the region. So, we are bound by our original mission in supporting students to become global citizens, to travel and to bring overseas students to Keele. 57% of our outbound students come from a widening participation background. 

Q: Looking ahead to the next decade, what emerging trends or shifts in global higher education do you believe will most dramatically reshape the landscape of international partnerships and student mobility?

A: The rise of the major European education systems in the global South from Germany, France to the Netherlands and Ireland. The retreating role of the United States, and I hope the UK does not take a snail's walk on their coat tails. The march of Asia especially hubs like Malaysia, China, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Egypt. R&D spend and academic output is rising in science systems in the East. Horizon funding remains a beacon for Europe. Keele is positioning itself in these systems progressively. 

Q: How important do you believe TNE will be to development of quality higher education globally.

A: Important with volumes increasing in the near term and slowdown as Malaysia, China, Japan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Brazil increase their confidence in exporting. More TNEE - Transnational Education and Engagement.