Centre for Professional Development

HOME | ABOUT CPD | TEACHING & (e)LEARNING | RESEARCH | LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT | ADMIN SUPPORT | TEACHING EVALUATION

You are here: CPD >> Teaching & (e)Learning >> Strategic Themes & Projects >> Internationalising the Curriculum

Local Navigation

"Internationalization is a process that prepares the community for successful participation in an increasingly interdependent world. The process should infuse all facets of the post-secondary education system, fostering global understanding and developing skills for effective living and working in a diverse world."

(Francis, 1993. Adapted from British Columbia Centre for International Education's Task force on Internationalization).

Internationalisation has become a core feature of both the academic work of Macquarie staff, as well as the learning environment experienced by our students. As outlined in the University Annual Report 2004, enrolment data indicates that of the total number of students enrolled in that year, 52% of them were born outside Australia, and 41% lived in homes where English was not the main language spoken. As a result of continuing internationalisation, the percentage of students having overseas permanent home residence increased from 28% in 2003 to 30%. Macquarie has a responsibility therefore, to provide a quality learning experience for our international students; a curriculum that is both relevant and rigorous, whilst at the same time, one that is suitable to their needs, in relation to language and previous learning experiences. At the same time, we must prepare our domestic students for a future that is truly global. The curriculum provided throughout the disciplines must therefore have:

"...an international orientation in content, aimed at preparing students for performing (professionally/socially) in an international and multicultural context, and designed for domestic students as well as foreign students." (IDP 1995)

Internationalising the curriculum in this way has been a strategic priority for the university. It is one of the University's strategic goals for teaching and learning:

GOAL 3: To promote internationalisation. 3.1 Attract international students of quality. 3.2 Offer overseas experience for Macquarie students. 3.3 Develop an international curriculum. 3.4 Develop an appreciation of diverse cultures and cross-cultural attitudes amongst staff and students. Macquarie University Teaching and Learning Plan, 2005

Such a goal is an ongoing challenge for Macquarie, and one that is a continuing focus for both academic and support units across campus.

Previous initiatives focusing on internationalization at Macquarie include:

• a conference hosted by Macquarie, Internationalising the Curriculum,
• focused research exploring staff understandings of Internationalisation (to download the Outcomes, click here)
• across campus forums

During semester 1 2006, curriculum development of this sort will be a focus for the Teaching and (e)Learning group at CPD. The 'Internationalising the Curriculum' project will result in both generic and discipline-specific resources for use by the Macquarie community, as well as contextualised professional development activities that will be rolled out in succeeding semesters.

For information and advice contact Jennifer Godfrey, Project Coordinator on 9850 7957.

References cited

Francis, A. (1993), Facing the future: The internationalization of post secondary institutions in British Columbia. Task Force Report. British Columbia Centre for International Education: Vancouver.

IDP (1995), Curriculum development for internationalisation. DEET: Canberra.

[Back to top]