RESEARCH ON THE THEORY AND PATH OF OPEN UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONALIZATION

Issues concerning the internationalization activity and associated challenges is an important focus in the current expansion at the Open University of China (OUC). The purpose of this article is to examine theoretical issues relating to the internationalization of universities and the identification of indicators and benchmarks that may be adopted by the OUC. With respect to internationalization indicators at OUC, particular attention is given to four elements, including (1) goal; (2) level; (3) capacity; and (4) activities. An unbiased examination of both qualitative and quantitative internationalization indicators is undertaken with respect to the practical aspects of offering distance education through the use of OUC online learning technologies with a specific focus on strategic measures and associated policy options. With respect to strategic measures, the article reports on research suggesting that successful internationalization activity depends on the consideration of organizational issues related to personnel staffing and funding. The article reviews policy research findings relating to distance education legal issues, open education resources, initiating web-based class offerings, how to facilitate international credit transfer agreements and how to encourage domestic and foreign faculty members to foster joint collaborations in order to advance teaching and research initiatives.