Internationalization of higher education and regionalization: a case study of South Korea

Abstract

In many Asian countries, there has been a growing demand for higher education. Consequently, higher education has undergone dynamic changes, which is reflected by the increase in the number of student exchanges and agreements that are entered into among universities within the region. Meanwhile, political and economic interdependence has also increased between Asian countries along with a movement toward greater regionalism. The recognition of the need for community awareness, moving beyond political conflict and historic distrust, is now widespread. Asian countries have a common basis for cooperation and share ideas in relation to many international issues. The paper examines the participation of Korean universities in regional educational organizations and higher education networks within the region, analyzes major statistical data associated with the current level of internationalization of Korean universities, and introduces the strategies of Korean universities for internationalization with a focus on regionalism.