A internacionalização do ensino superior brasileiro: conceito e características do processo em instituições privadas de ensino superior

Abstract

The objective of the present thesis is to answer the following research question: What are the concepts and characteristics that identify the internationalization process in Brazilian Universities? To obtain the desired data, an exploratory, qualitative research was developed using a multiple case study approach, conducted with four Brazilian Privately Owned College Institutions. It was employed investigation techniques in document analysis and focused interviews. The results reveal a new internationalization concept and the identification of some characteristic of this process at the researched universities. Results indicate that all studied institutions have in their strategies the creation and structuring of an international office as a basic condition to start an internationalization process to cope with market demands. Regarding teaching and research, the predominant characteristic is the student formation for his or her professionalization, notwithstanding the reduced focus on research. Mobility is the main theme in the internationalization process; therefore, it characterizes a growing tendency of the periodic half year or annual student international exchange. The researched college institutions diverge in relation to payment and credit validation formats. Another common characteristic is that the four researched universities are still in an initial internationalization process