BRIDGING THE GAP AMONG ISLAMIC NATIONS THROUGH INTERNATIONALIZATION AT HOME (IAH)

Abstract

Globalization has a profound impact on the higher education institutions to build graduates capable to work and compete in the fourth industrial revolution and Muslim nations have no exception to this movement. The students graduated from overseas gain global exposure through multicultural and diverse cross-cultural learning environment. However, the ratio of non-mobile student among Muslim countries is high who are in need to train with adeptness and capabilities in accordance with the global competitive challenges. The industrial requirements of human capital are changing now as they are demanding the employees capable to work effectively in multicultural environment and with diverse teams. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the current need for Internationalization at Home┬á (IaH) in higher education institutions in Muslim countries to create an environment of mutual collaboration through exchange programs of student and staff. The increased implementation of IaH among these nations would assist in producing Muslim global graduates. The contemporary trends and challenges have been explored through an in-depth literature survey to dig out the best practices. The study emphasized that IaH practices are appropriate solution for the provision of global acquaintance to non-mobile Muslim students. This is probably the pioneer study on the concept of ÔÇÿInternationalization at HomeÔÇÖ in Muslim countries which would assist higher education institutuions (HEIs) and Ministries of Higher Education to formulate strategies and plans for the formation of mutual collaboration through the development of an association of universities in Muslim countries.