Imbedding internationalization into teaching, learning, research and all other activities of university life is important.
Guido van Leerzem, an International Policy Advisor at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, who recently spent several weeks at CPUT, says universities cannot ignore internationalization.
“Internationalization is important because of the process of globalization. Your local context is now part of the world. You can clearly see how globalization impacts on everything,” he says.
For example, Leerzem says research challenges across the globe are the same.
“The context is different, but we are all facing the same types of problems, such as housing and governance issues.”
Leerzem, whose stay at CPUT formed part of the Erasmus Mundus staff exchange programme, says he hopes to continue working with CPUT as both universities are looking at a range of internalization issues and says both institutions can learn from each other.
“What I find impressive about CPUT in the field of internationalization is the ability to build collaborations and establish partners,” says Leerzem.
“CPUT is very good in linking the world to its local context.”
He says he was particular impressed with the university’s Service Learning programme, which links students and academic to local communities.
“This shows that universities are not just involved in academic exchanges. We are focusing our attention to connecting with communities.”
