What Western Research in Internationalization Can Learn from Indigenous Knowledge

For the past couple of weeks I have been thinking about how, in order to "de-westernize" (Dzulkifli, 2005) our internationalization constructs, we could learn some valuable lessons from indigenous research (and researchers). For example, during the first NACCD conference that took place this past summer in Regina, CA, Prof. Willie Ermine shared his thoughts on the concept of the "ethical space of engagement" (Ermine, 2007). If we are able to acknowledge that internationalization is a non-neutral process (Castiello & Lee, 2017; Maldonado-Maldonado, 2006) where different constituents have different intentions that sometimes enter into conflict, then we can start finding ways in which our interactions with our international partners can be approached more ethically. Ermine (2005) defines ethics as “the capacity to know what harms or enhances the well-being of sentient creatures” (p. 195). Thus, by using this framework to observe the dynamics that occur when institutions enact their internationalization strategies, we would be able to gain a better understanding of the extent to which institutions are aligning their specific strategies with their higher purpose in an ethically manner (conscious about the possibility of harming the other) towards the public good. Borrowing from the past CONAHEC conference, I call this approach purposeful internationalization.

I would love to hear othe people's comments on this idea. Feel free to leave a message or contact me at santiagocg@email.arizona.edu 

References:

Castiello, S., & Lee, J. J. (2017). Academic mobility in an unequal world: Inequities in opportunity and experience. In Encyclopedia of International Higher Education Systems and Institutions. Springer.

Dzulkifli, A. R. (2005). The internationalisation of education: A western construct. In M. Stiasny & T. Gore (Eds.), Going global. The landscape for policy makers and practitioners in tertiary education (pp. 13–20). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Ermine, W. (2007). The ethical space of engagement. Indigenous Law Journal, 6(1), 193–203.

Maldonado-Maldonado, A. (2006). International cooperation and overview of higher education financing. In GUNi (Ed.), Higher education in the world 2006: The financing of universities (pp. 41–54). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.