Making globalization work for Chinese higher education by building bridges between internationalization and multiculturalism

Authors: Zhenzhou, Zhao¹; Postiglione, Gerard²

Source: Asian Ethnicity, Volume 9, Number 2, June 2008 , pp. 133-150(18)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $50.43 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

The rapid expansion of higher education in China is bringing together two phenomena, internationalization and multiculturalism. This study explores the question of what Chinese universities are doing to bridge the gap between these two. Three types of higher education institutions attended by minority students are selected: a university under the governance of an ethnic autonomous region, located in Inner Mongolia; a university under the Central Ministry of Education in Beijing, and a university under the Ethnic Affairs Bureau, specifically designated for nationalities, in Hubei Province. A content analysis of selected relevant documents and interviews with university academic/administrative staff, Han and ethnic minority students were carried out. Chinese universities seem more than willing to internationalize for status advancement. However, multiculturalism in the sense of recognition of ethnic minority cultures, is not viewed as bringing higher status. The implications for bridging internationalization and multiculturalism are raised.

Keywords: higher education; China; globalization; internationalization; multiculturalism

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14631360802042057

Affiliations: 1: The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 2: The University of Hong Kong,

Publication date: 2008-06-01

More about this publication?