Investigating factors influencing in internationalization at home (IAH) for specialized universities: a meta-synthesis study

The main goal of this research is to investigate the effective factors in internationalization at home for specialized universities. Internationalization is any sustainable and systematic effort with the aim of making higher education responsive to the needs and challenges related to the globalization of societies, economy and labor market, and the policies and measures undertaken by higher education systems and institutions. It refers to quality improvement, broad participation and promotion of international cooperation, increased competition and revenue generation through international student enrollment.

The current research is a meta-synthesis study that was conducted in 2024. The statistical population included all Persian and English articles published in the time frame of 2015 to 2024 regarding internationalization at home for specialized universities in the field of higher education. In this regard, the articles were searched and extracted through keywords and related databases. Finally, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria 12 articles were investigated.

Study findings were identified and classified in 6 overarching themes (curriculum and content, educational method and process, research and development, information technology, structure and infrastructure, and cultural dimension), 11 organizing themes (curriculum planning, course/lesson content, teaching method, instructor, learner/student, international research, skills and equipment, increasing access, structure, infrastructure provision and ethics and culture).

The process and approach of internationalization at home is taking place dramatically in many countries of the world. Now, considering the challenges and obstacles in internationalization at home, it seems necessary to review the packages for creating transformation and innovation in internationalization at home for specialized universities.