Analysing the coordination and organisation of international mobility of students in four Mozambican Universities 2010-2015: UEM, UP, UCM and AP

Abstract

This dissertation explores how four Mozambican universities, namely Eduardo Mondlane University, Pedagogic University, A Politécnica University and Catholic University of Mozambique, formally coordinate and organise international mobility of students in the context of globalisation and internationalisation, both from receiving, as well as sending perspectives. It also examines how different stakeholders in each university perceive the mobility of students, the alleged rationales, as well as the advantages and main obstacles. Furthermore, the study probes the available statistical data regarding domestic students sent abroad as well as foreign students coming from abroad. The dissertation intends to contribute to knowledge on the topic, since there is a dearth of available research on the matter in Mozambique. The theoretical framework of internationalisation and globalisation provided the contextual foundation, while analytical models of institutionalisation of internationalisation developed by Davies (1992) and Knight (1994) enabled a description of the main indicators and levels of analysis. The methodology consisted of four case studies, where the collection of data was carried out by conducting in- depth interviews and questionnaires, as well as document analysis. The findings of the study indicate different patterns of formal coordination and organisation of international mobility of students: while the two public universities, Eduardo Mondlane University and the Pedagogic University, tend to have formal structures centrally coordinated to manage issues related to the international mobility of students, in the two private universities, A Politécnica and Catholic University of Mozambique, the degree of institutionalisation is less clear. Regarding perceptions of internationalisation and international mobility, participants across and among the targeted universities show different views, but they generally equate internationalisation from an activity approach rather than as a process approach. Finally, statistical data on the international mobility of students is scarce, and the universities in question do not possess reliable and systematic data on the number of inbound and outbound students in the last five years