Quality Assurance of Internationalisation In Higher Education: Slovenia In The Comparative Perspective of Western Balkans Countries

This presentation addresses the relationship between internationalisation and quality assurance in higher education from the perspective of quality assurance of internationalisation in Slovenia and seven Western Balkan countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania). To this end, it questions how is the quality of internationalisation assured, assessed and measured at the national and institutional level of higher education systems in Slovenia and the Western Balkans countries. Initially, it highlights the broader European-level development of initiatives and tools in this field over the past two decades. On this basis, it provides a proper starting point for exploring policies, strategies, activities, instruments and other initiatives aimed at ensuring the quality of internationalisation in Slovenian higher education. Afterwards, it places the Slovenian example in the comparative framework of higher education systems and institutions from Western Balkans, identifies similarities and differences in their development and implementation at the national and institutional level of higher education, and explains why do they actually appear. In conclusion, it highlights the need to consider unique characteristics of diverse (supra-)national, institutional and disciplinary environments, which either encourage or hinder the development of policies and practices aimed at ensuring the quality of internationalisation. Methodologically, the presentation is based on a (critical) analysis of various documentary sources, findings from semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders and actors working in the field of internationalisation and quality assurance in selected countries, and expert interviews. Research results derive from the postdoctoral research project (Z5-2658), funded by the Slovenian Research Agency.