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Internationalization of Higher Education: Cooperation vs. Competition

There is a current wave of criticism applied to internationalization models based entirely on competition, encouraged by international rankings, which incite a wish to compete among universities. It is widely believed the traditional model based on cooperation is much healthier for the relationship between universities. One must, however, analyse deep into the causes and the origins of cooperation and competition according to the objectives of universities. At the bottom of the debate that involves cooperation versus competition in the internationalization process of universities is the university’s mission itself. Usually, it is agreed upon a university must execute education, research and outreach activities. These three pillars are connected to the role the university plays as it relates to knowledge. Research, education and outreach initiatives are responsible for generating, disseminating and bestowing knowledge, respectively. Universities that invest more in research can have their results more easily assessed and continuously receive incentives to continue competing among each other in the generation of knowledge. Universities that focus on education mold professionals to act in various sectors and the acknowledgement of their excellence comes from society. They have a preference for collaboration because dissemination of knowledge can be repeated many times. Society can benefit by both models of relationship between universities. Rather than being destructive, competition generates advancements in knowledge that benefit humanity and can make way to new possibilities of cooperation in the future.

Author(s):

Carlos Kamienski    
Federal University of ABC
Brazil