The internationalization of teaching, research and extension actions at theregional University of Blumenau

Abstract

In this qualitative research, guided by the comprehensive method, we propose to analyze the processes of internationalization of higher education at the Regional University of Blumenau (FURB), an institution located in Santa Catarina, Brazil. For that, we rely on the theoretical-conceptual studies of Knight, De Wit, Leask, Santos and Almeida Filho. Regarding the methodological framework, data generation took place in two phases. In the first phase, we developed a theoretical study in a network of international cooperation involving researchers from nine Ibero-American countries on the concepts of internationalization; and, in parallel, we explore the local empirical reality, reading public documents and making an semi structured interview with the coordinator of international relations of the investigated institution. In the second phase of the research, we expanded the number of documents analyzed, covering institutional internationalization policies. This analysis led to na understanding of the fact that there are two main guidelines in the internationalization processes at the FURB: a) international cooperation agreements and agreements aiming at academic mobility, with emphasis on universities in Germany, Sweden and Portugal; b) insertion of courses taught in English in the curricula of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs, as well as the offer of free courses focused on linguistic proficiency. These axes denote the efforts of the academic community to promote the internationalization of teaching, research and extension actions, in order to create a global environment in the institution.