SYNOPSIS

Increasing numbers of students, especially but not exclusively, from developing countries are pursuing an international education. The degree of internationalization varies. It may involve study at a university abroad, at a branch campus of a foreign university in the home country, or in a twinning, dual or joint programme involving a foreign university and a local partner. In each case, the students are seeking to equip themselves with the skills and competencies required to succeed in an international or global workplace. The growth in international education has generated a growing presence of ‘internationally’ educated graduates working in local enterprises. The talk also illustrates the arguments that IntELS are a category of employees with distinct characteristics in the local workplace. Importantly, although an exposure to international education is intended to foster competencies, there is evidence that a significant number find employment in their home country to be unsatisfying and they have difficulty integrating into their employer’s enterprises.


SPEAKER BIODATA

PROFESSOR RON EDWARDS, As Vice Chancellor, Professor Edwards is responsible for the quality of learning and teaching at APU, a private university with 10,000 students located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Earlier, he held several leadership roles at Monash University in Australia and Malaysia and at RMIT in Vietnam. Professor Edwards has authored over 40 articles in refereed journals and chapters in scholarly books.

His research interests focus on the strategies of international firms. He also has an interest in international education and has published a number of articles in education journals.