Assessing the Understanding of Mapua Community on Internationalization of Higher Education

This study explored the Mapua University community’s understanding of internationalization of higher education as it is lived and practiced within the university. The research aimed to evaluate the perspectives of faculty (teaching and non-teaching staff) and students (domestic and international) on internationalization, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants for data collection. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes. Firstly, there was a minimal understanding of internationalization among students compared to faculty. Secondly, participants held mixed views on intercultural awareness, with many students perceiving that faculty did not fully utilize the cultural diversity present in the classroom. Thirdly, findings indicated minimal faculty. engagement in the internationalization effort; while their crucial role was acknowledged, specific involvement was often unclear or limited, particularly in curriculum development, when compared to other internationalized institutions. Lastly, the curriculum was perceived as having insufficient diversity, with many participants feeling it lacked international content and presented knowledge from only certain global regions. These findings collectively suggest a need for enhanced awareness, more coherent strategies, and greater stakeholder involvement, especially in “internationalization-at-home” efforts, to truly advance Mapua University’s global competitiveness.