Search

Purpose -- This paper discusses the effectiveness of a consortium-based student mobility programme by investigating the impact of the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme. AIMS is a regional multilateral large-scale student mobility programme based on a consortium of 10 member countries and 87 member universities with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) as a facilitator. Over 6,000 students have participated in a semester-long intra-regional student exchange under AIMS since 2010. Design/methodology/approach -- The study employed questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews to investigate the impact of AIMS and its advantages as a consortium-based student mobility programme. Findings -- It was found that AIMS significantly impacted member universities by accelerating their internationalisation processes through increasing the number of inbound and outbound students and courses offered in English and so on. AIMS has promoted harmonisation among the members by developing common procedures and guidelines, providing platforms for mutual sharing of experiences and good practices and capacity building of international relations offices. AIMS has also had a significant impact on students by enhancing their regional identity and knowledge about the region of Asia, contributing to their development as future regional and global citizens. As advantages of AIMS, member universities efficiently built a foundation for international collaboration with common procedures and guidelines and shared their experiences through such venues as Annual Review Meetings. Students also feel supported by having clear guidance and find programmes prepared by host universities and SEAMEO RIHED useful. Originality/value -- This study is unique in that it empirically studies the impact of one of Asia's largest student mobility programmes for the first time by analysing large-scale qualitative and quantitative data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how student experiences in international exchange programs in ASEAN countries (i.e., Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) and Korea facilitate the development of global citizenship. We build and expand upon prior study abroad research conducted mostly in North American or European countries to understand if findings and best practices based on the Western context are also applicable to the Southeast Asian region and Korea. We focus attention on how student characteristics are mediated by program experiences abroad that contribute to global citizenship outcomes. Results based on structural equation modeling show that students who report a strong interest to expand intercultural understanding are more likely to be satisfied with host university academic experiences related to the globally oriented curriculum and interact frequently with diverse students; these together positively affect the development of global citizenship. In other words, study abroad as a high-impact practice that is effective in cultivating global citizenship is applicable to international programming in higher education institutions across different regional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trends in higher education have changed tremendously over the past decade. Knowledge is now an asset that moves between countries. The profound effort generates the globalization of universities, students and niche research. Hence international mobility program are gaining popularity as it gives significant outcomes for its students who had experienced mobility exchange. It is apparent that mobility had prepared the students to contribute to the global workforce, establish global networks and join the brain global circulation. Mobility exchange is seen to be the driving force for the students who are not able to study abroad to obtain an international degree. It is also seen to be giving opportunities to students to become "international" or global by studying abroad for a semester, which is more affordable for most students. Realizing the importance of mobility exchange, ASEAN have now taken the initiatives to encourage mobility among students. The students are going to exchange program either to ASEAN countries or elsewhere across the globe with the mission to become a global citizen with a global mindset. In promoting internationalization across ASEAN, SEAMEO-RIHED via its Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) program has laid out its pathway for students to go for mobility exchange. The paper will discuss the journey of AIMS and how its platform has promoted the multicultural diversity and inclusivity across ASEAN and support the One ASEAN Community establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multitude of existing research conducted within the field of study abroad generally reinforces the popular understanding that the practice not only broadens the mind, provides valuable experiences and enhances stagnating perspectives, but also contributes to a skillset that is becoming increasingly necessary for success in the globally focused world of today. Despite the evidence supporting their effectiveness, relatively few undergraduate students of Malaysia choose to participate in some form of study abroad programmes especially to the ASEAN countries. The following analysis will examine the potential reasoning of why this is so. In this context the focus is on the mobility programme on the short-term exchange and study abroad issues. Through the survey, this research examined the attitudes and inhibitions of undergraduate university students as they relate to studying abroad and to what extent these perceptions fall in line with the escalating importance of employability. Used as an exemplifying case of Asian Mobility for Students Programmes (AIMS), ten participating public universities under the AIMS-Malaysia furnished the sample of participants used in this study. Factors such as a student's previous international travel experience and awareness of available programmes are seen to influence these perceptions to some degree. The students highlighted the benefits of studying abroad as to have better understanding of cultural differences and new friends share the same highest mean. The students also developed their soft skills by being more independent, confident and improve their problem-solving skills. In addition, they also have better communication, self-assessment and personal skills. The finding also showed that the most important criteria that the alumni being hired for their first job after graduation are communication skills, high adaptability, analytical thinking and problem solving. These findings corroborate international student mobility programmes whilst providing additional insight through student testimony. Indeed, AIMS programme leverages the competency and employability of students, hence contributes to producing global citizens and ASEAN harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of global and international dimensions in higher education has lifted the trends of students' and researcher's mobility around the globe. Identification and assessment of international students' drivers influencing their decisionmaking process of study destination are imperative to appeal to a larger number of international students. The present study aimed to examine the international students' motives in the selection of Malaysia as a study destination and the factors influencing their will to recommend Malaysia to their friends and relatives. A qualitative approach was employed and a total of 18 respondents were interviewed. Quality of education and cultural adoption were found as thekey concerned fascination for international students in choosing Malaysia as a study destination. Besides, the low cost of living and tuition fees, cultural adoption, environmental beauty, credibility, and international ranking of institutions also appeal to students in the selection of Malaysia. The findings revealed that most of the respondents are willing to recommend Malaysia to their friends and relatives, and the factors prompting their intention are educational cost and quality, available research facilities at institutions, the credibility of Malaysian universities, and low tuition fee for higher education. The results would offer the current trends to thegovernment and higher education institutions in offering an exclusive experienceto the existing and potential students and in achieving Malaysia's Vision-2025 of attracting 250,000 international students. The limitations and directions for future research have been provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]