Mapping - Higher Education Institution with an Internationalization Approach in the Iranian Science and Technology System (Current Situation)

Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

2 Professor of the Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

3 universAssistant Professor, Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran

4 PhD in Higher Education Development Planning, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.

10.22080/eps.2025.29174.2339

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of designing a model, roadmap, and institutional mapping of higher education with an approach toward internationalization and validating it
Methodology: This research is applied in terms of purpose and a case study in terms of data collection. The participants included 15 experts, professors, and researchers in the field of higher education who were selected through purposive sampling and then interviewed using a semi-structured format. The data were coded using MAXQDAv2020 software.
Results: The findings indicated that the most influential institutions in the internationalization of higher education fall into five categories:
Macro-level policymaking institutions
Policy implementation intermediary institutions
Executive institutions Executive policymaking institutions Program-level policymaking institutions Moreover, the key functions of these institutions in support of higher education internationalization include policymaking, regulation, facilitation, and service provision.
Conclusions and suggestions: The study concludes that while Iran’s higher education system holds significant potential for internationalization, this potential remains largely unrealized due to fragmented responsibilities, lack of coordination, weak regulation, and insufficient institutional engagement. It was also revealed that the measures taken were largely symbolic, limited to signing memorandums of understanding and holding conferences, and fell far short of the requirements of an international university.
Innovation and originality: The innovation of the present research is to identify the institutions and their key functions affecting the internationalization of higher education and to design an institutional mapping of this process in the Iranian higher education system.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 June 2025
  • Receive Date: 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 12 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 14 June 2025