Internationalization Strategy

Internationalization Strategy 

for 2020-25 academic years

Ala-Too International University

Internalization History of Ala -Too International University

As Ala-Too International University (AIU) is an ‘international’ university, it gives high priority to internationalization. The International Relations Office of AIU is the organ that is responsible for implementing the internationalization strategy of the university and IRO puts all its efforts to embrace and drive forward AIU internationalization in a dynamic and meaningful manner.  IRO is continuously endeavoring to work out tools to accelerate university international processes through expanding the number of partner universities, number of mobility programmes for AIU staff and students,  number of dual degree programs and international joint projects.

AIU has signed Memorandum of Understanding with more than a hundred universities from the USA, Mexico, Great Britain, Albania, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, South Korea, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Georgia, Ukraine, India, Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, etc. Cooperation with partner universities covers different educational, scientific, cultural activities such as exchange of students, exchange of professors, administrative staff; development of joint research programmes; implementation of dual degrees, joint diplomas; participation in conferences, workshops and seminars;  participation in international joint projects; exchanges of information, documentation and scientific publications.

In recent years, international mobility of AIU students and staff has increased. Each academic year, the International Relations Office of AIU sends 70-90 outgoing students for one semester and 15-20 outgoing staff for a week/month to partner Universities within mobility programs. Since 2015, AIU has been actively involved in the implementation of the Erasmus + International Credit Mobility programs and nowadays takes a leading position among Kyrgyz HEIs. As Educational system of AIU is structured according to the Bologna process, students who participate in mobility programs can easily find common study areas at Host Universities and upon returning all the courses along with credit hours are successfully recognized at Home University.

 The English language is used as a medium for conducting lectures, thus preparing the students for future employment at global organizations.

The mission

The mission of the International Relations Office of AIU is to internationalize Ala-Too International University in an inclusive manner to meet the standards of truly international universities. In the age of globalization, AIU places its priorities on internationalization of the education process as well as internationalization of the AIU community as international  education and international experience is the key driver in the development of the university in terms of education, science and culture. The university believes that Kyrgyz Republic, being a small developing country, can rely on the youth with innovative ideas who can implement the best world practices in education, economy, politics, and other sectors. The university is motivated to educate future leaders who will foster positive changes to their country as well as the global market.

SWOT analysis

Strengths:

  • The leading university in Kyrgyzstan with number of mobilities
  • More than 70 outgoing students mobility each year within bilateral exchange programs
  • More than 10 outgoing students mobility each year within scholarship exchange programs
  • More than 5 incoming students mobility  within bilateral exchange programs
  • More than 20 outgoing staff mobility each year within Erasmus, Fulbright exchange programs
  • More than 3 incoming staff mobility from Fulbright, Confucius programs 
  • More than 100 leading partner universities from all over the world
  • More than 7 project proposals each year within Erasmus, American Council, RITA
  • More than 120 -150 full time international students each year
  • More than 5 full time international staff each year
  • More than 5 Dual Degree programs

Weaks:

  • Lack of International grants

           Opportunities:

  • To expand number of mobility, number of partners
  • To bring more international grants

Threats:

  • Pandemic situation
  • Political situation (local and international)

The internationalization priorities:

IRO pursues the following priorities to reach the main goal of internationalization strategy.

  1. International partnership

The university gives high priority to internationalization of the education process and to realize this mission, the International Relations Office puts all its efforts in finding new opportunities and partnerships for making it truly an international university. IRO continuously endeavors in expanding the number of partner universities.

Main strategic goal

Objectives

Indicators

Execution period

To develop and enhance partnerships and networks in the wider international world

-To increase the number of international partnerships with top ranking institutions worldwide according to the following priorities:

  1. Europe
  2. USA
  3. Asia
  4. CiS

 

- To undertake a critical review of existing partnerships and their impact on AIU Internationalisation Strategy and global engagement

- To find more than 10 partners from Europe

- To find more than 2 partners from USA within a year till 2025

- To find more than 5 partners from Asia

- To find more than 5 partner from CiS

 

 

 

 

 

- To make an annual report 

 

 

- To take survey from students and staff 

-each year

-each year

-each year

-each year 

 

 

 

 

 

-each year

 

-each

year

2) International exchange / mobility

International Relations Office with the slogan “ Gateway to the World” provides opportunity for AIU students to study one semester or an academic year at one of the partner universities of USA, Europe, Asia and Central Asia within Erasmus+ ICM, Global UGRAD, Fulbright, DAAD, Confucius and bilateral mobility programmes. As the educational system of AIU is structured according to the Bologna system, students who participate in mobility programs can easily find common study areas at partner universities and upon returning all the courses along with credit hours are successfully recognized at home university.

Main strategic goal

Objectives

Indicators

Execution period

To increase student and staff participation in international mobility programmes

-To enable students and staff to engage international cultures and further their personal and professional development

-To disseminate the information about mobility programs among AIU students and staff

 

-To organize seminars, presentations, events about scholarship mobility programs with representatives of international educational organizations .

 

-To increase the number of mobilities

 

-To search international educational programs that provide scholarship for mobilities

 

 

-To use possible resources: the university website, email, instagram, facebook, ect.to disseminate information

 

-To be in good contact with Erasmus+, DAAD, US Embassy, Confucius and other educational international organizations

 

 

 

 

-To send more than 60 students within bilateral exchange program

- To send more than 10 students within scholarship programs

-To send more than 20 staff within Erasmus + programs

 

-each year

 

 

 

 

-each year

 

 

 

-each year

 

 

 

 

-each semester

 

 

-each year

 

-each year

3) International joint programmes /projects

In further developing AIU's international profile and reputation, the University places particular emphasis upon international joint programmes such as dual degree, joint research and international joint internship programs.

Main strategic goal

Objectives

Indicators

Execution period

To initiate and implement innovative joint programmes /joint projects with partner Universities 

-To implement dual degree with partner universities

-To initiate joint research projects and academic events with partner universities

-To promote partnership with funding bodies, private and public organizations and representatives of state organizations in Kyrgyz Republic to initiate joint projects with them

-To initiate 5 dual degree master programs

 

-To provide a platform for joint research for at least 2 researchers

 

- To initiate 3 internship programs for bachelor and  master programs

 

-To organize International Programs Week” with the representatives of international organizations

-each year

 

 

-each year

 

 

 

 

-each year

 

 

 

- each year

 

 

 

4) International grants

One of the main priorities of AIU IRO is to attract international grants to raise the University's capacity in the field of education and research, to increase diversity, to support facility improvements, to prepare the AIU community for social changes.

Main strategic goal

Objectives

Indicators

Execution period

-To seek fundings from international organizations in order to increase the qualification of staff members, to improve students retention, to improve quality of education, to support research and to improve the university facilities.

-To search and fetch international grants and various academic grants from international organizations, aid organizations and multinational companies

 

 

-To enhance  engagement with international education and funding organizations to increase the quality and success rate of consortia bid submissions

 

 

 

- To find at least 1 international (social, academic, capacity building, research)  grant opportunities and disseminate it among faculty members

 

 

 

 

- To apply for 3 international (social, academic, capacity building) grants

 

-To apply at least 15 projects within Erasmus +KA1

 

-To apply at least 5 projects within Erasmus + KA2

 

- To apply at least 2 Swiss Programme for Erasmus+ SEMP worldwide

 

- each month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- each  year

 

 

 

-each year

 

 

 

-each year  

 

 

 

-each year

The objectives above have been identified to support AIU in meeting its international strategic goals and still need to be developed.