A study on the requirements for developing international student exchange programs with Iranian universities: A step in line with Iran's Seventh Development Plan

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Agricultural education, Institute for Research & Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Higher Education Management, Institute for Research & Planning in Higher Education, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

One of the key programs to expand international scientific cooperation and effective interaction with the regional and international environment and top universities is student exchange programs. In line with Iran’s Seventh Development Plan and for effective decision-making and planning in this field, the present study has examined the requirements for developing international student exchange programs with the Iranian universities. A qualitative and quantitative approach was administered. First, with a qualitative approach and conducting interviews with experts of the subject and using thematic analysis, the components were identified. In the next step, data were collected using a quantitative approach and with a questionnaire tool. The study findings indicated that the requirements for developing international student exchange programs with the Iranian universities could be divided in two groups: intra-university and extra-university. In the intra-university group, 4 categories and 12 subcategories were extracted as follows: (a) Planning and governance, including promoting international relations, promoting branding, and developing programs and guidelines. (b) Software and hardware infrastructures including improving support services, improving the quality of welfare services, improving the website, improving administrative services. (c) Individual and human resources including international students and university members. (d) Educational-research including curriculum, improving the level of education, improving the level of research. In the extra-university group, 3 categories were extracted including: (a) policies and laws, (b) management and structure, and (c) diplomacy and interactions. Based on the research findings and in line with Iran’s Seventh Development Plan and with the aim of improving the attraction of international students through a student exchange program, some recommendations were presented.

Keywords

References

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