Globalization at Home (GaH) is gaining popularity among universities, especially considering the challenges posed by travel restrictions due to the Covid pandemic and financial constraints.
Led by Anthony Manning, the Dean for Global and Lifelong Learning at the University of Kent, and Emma Marku, an internationalization officer, a UK team crafted the handbook in response to the increasing discourse on GaH.
A recent report from the International Higher Education Commission urged GaH to be a "central part" of the UK's forthcoming higher education strategy.
The handbook's foreword emphasized that universities are navigating challenges such as fostering environmentally sustainable practices, promoting participation from underrepresented backgrounds, financial pressures, and ensuring inclusivity among student cohorts.
"IaH provides an excellent opportunity to bring global dimensions to our university experiences through recognition of the diversity on our campuses and the value which can be unlocked from within our international student communities."
The document examines potential challenges in implementing GaH, including cultural issues.
"Some academic staff... may be less convinced of the need to engage in the discourse... It's important to remember that one size doesn't fit all in terms of individual staff members' experience or subject focus," the document stated.
It advocates for the integration of GaH across all services, not limiting it to international offices.
The handbook also shares best practices and case studies from various UK institutions that have successfully embraced GaH.
While GaH is gaining traction in the UK, it is also making waves globally. As part of a new internationalization course by Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG), GaH will be a core component in sessions offered to Indian universities.
"A core module on internationalization will include global trends, Indian trends, and subtopics like recruitment, international projects, internationalization at home, and COIL," said Anzhela Stashchak, Director for Projects at CCG.
One of the architects of the handbook, Anthony Manning, will lead the course's GaH module, tailored specifically for Indian universities to maximize its benefits.
According to the handbook, GaH can take various forms, including formal, informal, or hidden, depending on its implementation within the institution.
"Different higher education institutions will have a range of resources and time availability to be able to engage with GaH, due to competing demands and priorities," the handbook noted.
"These activities can help institutions make progress towards a range of key policy and strategic missions, including global engagement, employability, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), sustainability, participation, and progression," it added.
