Framing the discussion: Key considerations for strategic internationalization

Rhonda Friesen University of ManitobaUniversities Canada ILO DayFebruary 19, 2016

Measuring Internationalization: Naming the ‘elephants’

Comparative data &

benchmarking

Unique institutional

context

1. Data provides context not targets

2. Encourages ‘healthy’ competition & cooperation

Cooperation

Competition

Sets performance expectations

Pushes beyond complacency

Differences, similarities more visible

Sharing best practice

3. Highlights the ugly as well as the good

Identifies gaps and assumptions

Shows (un)intended impacts

Points out where we are going

Collecting data at the institutional level: Sizing up the elephant

What do we

know?

What do we need

to know?

What are the gaps?

Why do we need data?Age of “intelligent internationalization” –

need for information to guide decisions

Strategic decisions

• Aggregate numbers

• Broad trends

• Institutional priorities

Management

decisions• Descriptive

data• Program

adjustments

• Manage Risk

Impact & progress

• Qualitative data, stories

• Outcomes• Community

engagement

How do we gather data? Building a strategy from diverse perspectives

Perspectives

Drivers

DATA

StrategyActivity

Starting point for

long term success

Typical starting point

Developing a measurement framework

Governance

Student

Faculty Curriculum

Research

Engagement

ComprehensiveInternational

Data

Remembering data limitations Does it tell the

‘complete’ story? Does it tell a ‘relevant’

story? What conclusions can it

reasonably draw? What assumption does

it expose?

In summary: Using data to shape strategy

Be aware of the challenges

Plan for diversityView critically, use

carefullyStart somewhere!

Thank you!

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-friesen