Qualitative study of external and internal components for the globalization of the educational program in Iran University of Medical Sciences (With emphasis on human resource development management)

The main purpose of this study is to qualitatively study the external and internal components for the globalization of the educational program in Iran University of Medical Sciences With emphasis on human resource development management. The method of qualitative research and its strategy is thematic content analysis. The statistical population of this study consists of professors and managers of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Using purposeful snowball sampling method, 22 professors were selected. Data were analyzed using semi-structured interviews and data analysis based on thematic content analysis. The content analysis of the obtained data showed the situation of this university in two main categories of opportunities as well as the challenges of internationalization of the educational program in this university. Challenges and limiting factors were placed in two main categories of external factors (underlying factors and pressure factors) and internal (educational, administrative and executive process and services and support). Opportunities for the internationalization of the curriculum also included "courses from the rich Iranian civilization and culture", "joint courses", "supplementary courses" and "virtual and electronic courses". In general, and based on the results of the present study, it should be said that paying attention to internal and external organizational factors in order to develop the quality of the University of Medical Sciences in moving towards globalization is very useful and effective. ‌ Able to operate globally.