About the UNESCO Chair

Internationalization is considered a key strategy to increase the quality and relevance of higher education, as well as to face the challenges arising from globalization. Internationalization is defined as “the intentional process of integrating an international, intercultural, and global dimension into the purpose, functions, and services of higher education, in order to enrich the quality of education and research for all students and staff, and to make a significant contribution to society” (de Wit et al., 2015).

The internationalization of higher education is one of the best available strategies for implementing SDG 4 and promoting the development of global citizenship through curriculum internationalization (CI), internationalization at home (IeC), and international student mobility.

Through its various strategies, internationalization fosters the development of global citizenship competencies in students, such as: a sense of belonging to a common humanity; an awareness of their own culture; the development of empathy and respect for cultural diversity; knowledge of the impact of local decisions and actions on the international community; and the development of critical thinking.

The work of the Chair is based on the following:

Objectives

To raise awareness of the benefits and the need to strengthen the internationalization process in higher education; to disseminate and promote the concept of Comprehensive Internationalization (CI) in higher education institutions (HEIs), in order to systematically integrate an international and intercultural dimension into all development policies related to curriculum, teaching, and research. To develop institutional capacity and improve practices in Mexican and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) HEIs in the design, planning, implementation, and management of a comprehensive internationalization process. To promote the concept and design of Internationalization of Culture (IoC) and Intercultural Education of Culture (IEC) strategies, in order to develop global citizenship skills and competencies in students. To learn from best practices in internationalization through collaboration with partner HEIs based in the Global South and North. To increase the level of knowledge and research on the internationalization of higher education in LAC to enhance its effectiveness and sustainability.