ISAS IMPACT EVALUATION STUDY

Research objectives of this study are three-fold:

• • To identify progress institutions have made at the suggestion of ISAS;
  • To identify the reason for gaps between recommendations and implementation, defined as barriers to internationalization;
  • To analyze and share results that inform the development of IAU’s future advisory services.

12 of the 17 institutions that ever undertook an ISAS or ISAS (2.0) service participated in the study. The sampling of institutions included in this study, with unique regional, national and institutional contexts, are a microcosm of global higher education at large. Yet collectively, their responses convey that internationalization remains a pressing priority of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), regardless of geographic location.

The results show that every university indicated that working with ISAS was helpful in advancing internationalization initiatives. This is a clear endorsement of ISAS by the institutions.

In their quest for internationalization, all institutions inevitably face challenges. Overcoming those challenges requires a clear, strategic approach, one that is responsive and in alignment with the core mission and values of the institution. IAU through its advisory services stands ready to help institutions in refining or progressing their internationalization priorities built on an inclusive, fair and ethical process.

These badges mark the achievement of milestones along the journey of internationalization. They validate the time, effort, and resources that HEIs invest in the significant cultural change that internationalization requires, and recognize the institution’s accomplishments in enhancing teaching, research and engagement through internationalization. The badges also provide external validation of the institution’s work for both internal and external stakeholders and visible recognition of an institution’s progress and accomplishments in internationalization.

ISAS Presentation
The IAU offered the Internationalization Strategies Advisory Service (ISAS) to institutional leaders and teams interested in developing or reviewing their internationalization policy, strategy and various programs. ISAS was available to all Higher Education Institutions, though IAU Members paid a reduced fee. HEIs around the world found (and are stil finding) that internationalization can no longer be a sideline in the overall strategic planning process or policy development. It is central to the definition of a high quality institution and an important consideration for IAU Members. Through its Internationalization Strategies Advisory Service, the International Association of Universities (IAU) provided expert advice, up-to-date information and recommend approaches based on best practice around the world. IAU Advisory Service (ISAS) was launched for institutional internationalization planning and development, which lasted until 2016, to be substituted by the new ISAS (2.0) programme.

• List of ISAS projects
• Highlights of ISAS project outcomes

ISAS 2.0 projects

Launched in 2016, ISAS (2.0) built on the former IAU ISAS program, created to help HEIs develop or review their internationalization policies, strategies and programs. ISAS (2.0) consisted of several different but complementary services designed for IAU Institutional Members (HEIs), individuals at HEIs, national governments and organizations.
It consisted of three services:
 Advancing strategic internationalization at HEIs (for HEIs)
 Facilitating individual learning for internationalization for HEIs and individuals working at HEIs. (for HEIs and individuals at HEIs)
 National advisory service for strategy or policy development for HE internationalization (for national governments, agencies and organizations)

In 2020, the IAU and the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College conducted a ISAS Impact Evaluation Study to investigate the efficacy of the Internationalization Strategy Advisory Services (ISAS) and its successor program ISAS (2.0) on internationalization initiatives at higher education institutions. Learn more about the Impact Evaluation Study here.

Note: ISAS and ISAS (2.0) have been reimagined into the HEIAS programme.

List of ISAS (2.0) Advancing strategic internationalization at HEIs projects: