Higher Education (2006) 51: 521–539 Ó Springer 2006

DOI 10.1007/s10734-004-2015-6

Internationalization of curricula in higher education institutions

in comparative perspectives: Case studies of China, Japan
and The Netherlands

FUTAO HUANG
Associate Professor & Ph.D., Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima
University, Kagamiyama 1-2-3, Higashi Hiroshima, Japan 739-8512 (Phone:+81-(0)82-
4246242; Fax:+81-(0)82-4227104 E-mail: [email protected])

Abstract. This article discusses the major issues and character of internationalization of
curricula in higher education institutions in recent years in three non-English-speaking
countries – China, Japan and The Netherlands. By making a comparative analysis of
curricula provided for international students and curricula with international subjects,
perspectives or approach offered in both English and the local language, the author
examines development and character of internationalized curricula in the three coun-
tries, describes the similarities and different aspects of how the three countries inter-
nationalized their university curricula and met the needs of different regions and social,
economic and higher education systems.

Keywords: China, comparative perspective, internationalization of university curricu-

lum, Japan and The Netherlands.

Introduction

Since the 1990s, internationalization of curricula in higher education

institutions has played an increasingly important part in reforms of
higher education system in many countries. In this paper, the author is
particularly concerned with internationalization of curricula in higher
education institutions in three non-English-speaking countries – China,
Japan and The Netherlands. The three countries are chosen in this study
for the following reasons. First, international perspectives and activities
are being increasingly integrated into curricula in higher education
institutions in each country. Internationalization of curricula in higher
education institutions has come to be regarded as a very important
indicator of the internationalization of higher education. Second, the
three countries can provide examples of internationalization of curricula
in higher education in the non-English- speaking context: China re-
presents developing Asia; Japan represents developed Asia; while The
Netherlands offers an example in Europe, that has long offered many
522 FUTAO HUANG

programs in English. By making comparative studies, we may discover

similarities and distinctive aspects of internationalization of curriculum
in higher education among the different countries and obtain insights
into how internationalization of curricula in higher education institu-
tions has been undertaken in order to meet the needs of different regions
and the general trend of higher education worldwide.
Internationalization of curriculum in higher education institutions
can be interpreted in many ways. The definition and types of inter-
nationalization of curricula in higher education institutions by the
OECD research group are widely influential and considered as most
useful indicators (OECD 1996). Further, the book on Internationalizing
the Curriculum in Dutch Higher Education: an International Comparative
Perspective, based on the case study of internationalizing the curriculum
in Dutch Higher Education by Professor M.C. van der Wende, is
published in English and lot of information about internationalization
of university curricula in The Netherlands is provided (van der Wende
1996). As for the internationalization of China’s higher education, Dr.
Rui Yang made an analysis of the role of the English language in the
internationalization of China’s higher education in his book Third
Delight: The Internationalization of Higher Education in China (Yang
2002). Besides, Professor Anthony Welch also examined the current
situation and issues of internationalization of China’s higher education
based on the comparative study in educational services in Southeast
Asia (Welch 2004). With regard to the internationalization of Japan’s
higher education in recent years, Professor Ruth Hayhoe’s paper based
on her field study and interviews in Japan is worthwhile to be mentioned
(Hoyhoe 2001).
However, as the meaning of curriculum varies greatly in different
countries and the definition and typology by the OECD in 1996 cannot
be totally applied to some particular countries with changing context. In
this paper the author defines the term of internationalized curriculum as
a group of programs with an international name, content or perspective;
it can therefore be used interchangeably with programs, subjects or
courses. While making a comparative study of the three countries in
particular, the author makes an analysis of internationalization of
curriculums in according with different target groups: programs for
international students, for domestic students and programs for all stu-
dents. Based on the target group, the author discusses similarities and
differences in internationalized programs by field of study, by educa-
tional level, by final qualification, the teaching language, and institu-
tions responsible for related programs in the three countries.
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 523

The cases: China, Japan and The Netherlands

China

In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of incoming
international students in Chinese higher education institutions. There
have been however no radical changes in students’ composition by
country of origin. For example, from 1990 to 2002, students from Asian
countries constituted 70% of all international students in China. Among
them, a majority came from Japan and South Korea, indicating that
students from East Asia accounted for a major group. In regard to
curricula by field of study for international students, while since the
middle of the 1990s international students have increasingly taken
courses in economics, management, law, international politics, chem-
istry and mathematics, a large number of international students are still
majored in humanities, mostly studying Chinese language or Chinese
medicine. For example, in 1995 the percentage of international students
who took courses in humanities, including Chinese language, literature
and history etc., constituted nearly 90% (China Education Yearbook
Editorial Board 1996) of all curricula followed by international students.
Even in 2002, the same group still accounted for 86% (Table 1). In terms
of institutions in which curricula for international students are provided,
there has been a continuing rise in the number of institutions qualified to
recruit international students (Figure 1). Furthermore, international
students have moved from classes or educational structures that are
specifically designated and separated from local students to departments
or institutes where they can take courses in the same classes as Chinese

Table 1. Programs learned by international students by field of study in 2002

Discipline Percentage
Humanities 81
Chinese medicine 8
Engineer 4
Western medicine 3
Agriculture 1
Science 1
Arts 1
Physical education 1

Source: China Education Yearbook Editorial Board, China Education Yearbook.

People’s Education Press, Beijing, 2002, p. 337.
524 FUTAO HUANG

400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
institutions 1990 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001

Figure 1. Increase of universities recruiting international students. Sources: China

Education Yearbook Editorial Board, China Education Yearbook. 1991,1995,1996,1997,
1998,1999,2001, People’s Education Press, Beijing, http://www.Studyinchina.net.cn11
accessed on October 9, 2003.

students. For example, by the 1990s, in Fudan University more than

90% of international students followed courses in the Section of
Chinese-Language Training or the Section of Chinese Language and
Culture, a structure totally separated from other departments or
institutes and catering only to international students; by 2002, 35% of
international students were enrolled in departments or colleges in the
university (http://www.fudan.edu.cn accessed on August 10, 2003).
However, it should be stressed that, unlike the other two countries, in
China not all higher education institutions are qualified to recruit in-
ternational students; and even in institutions that are authorized to
recruit international students, not all curricula in the institution are
open to foreign students. In other words, programs specially designated
for international students and programs that these students can attend
are limited to accredited institutions. In regard to teaching language for
international students, normally curricula provided for international
students majoring in Chinese language, Chinese medicine and huma-
nities are delivered in Chinese language. But in some prestigious uni-
versities, there is indeed an increase in the number of non-degree
programs in Chinese language or culture that are delivered in English
for short-term international students. In addition, there has been also a
growth in the number of degree-conferring programs in English lan-
guage at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in some leading
universities, especially in natural science and engineering. For example,
in Tsinghua University, at present there are about 57 professional
programs that are delivered in English and it is planned that the number
of English language programs will be increased to about 30% of all
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 525

programs in the university in near future. (http://news.cic.tsinghua.

edu.cn. accessed on October 10, 2003)
On the other hand, changes are also taking place in the inter-
nationalization of curricula mainly for domestic students. As there are
nearly 1200 higher education institutions in China and the situation
varies greatly between different institutions, it is extremely difficult to
describe the whole picture. A case study of Fudan University, one of the
most prestigious comprehensive universities in China with about 2,353
international students in 2002 (Annual Report 2002, Foreign Affairs,
Fudan University), is provided here (Table 2).
Table 2 indicates that about 273 new programs with international
subjects or contents were introduced from 1990 to 2002, among the
newly-introduced programs, the number of programs in foreign lan-
guages or linguistics and interdisciplinary programs such as regional
and areas studies covering more than one country was increased most
rapidly, rising by 166 and 85 respectively. What is especially worth
noting is that some programs leading to joint or double degrees, in
partnership with foreign countries and universities in Hong Kong,
appear. For example, in recent years, six master-degree programs came
into being in Fudan University, which were led to degrees of universities
of Norway, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA, mostly being pro-
grams concerning international trade, accounting or MBA (http://
www.jsj.edu.cn/mingdan/002.html accessed on October 11, 2003).
In fact, compared with internationalized curricula at the under-
graduate level, at a national level, it is estimated that by July 2003 there
were nearly 100 higher education institutions and about 110 joint pro-
grams in China that were approved by the government with authority to
award degrees of foreign universities or degrees of HK universities
(http://www.jsj.edu.cn/mingdan/002.html accessed on October 11,
2003). Among these, almost half of the joint programs lead to an MBA
degree, and about 90% of them are delivered at the postgraduate level
and awarded with master’s degrees (Huang 2003).
Another important way to internationalize programs at both
undergraduate and graduate levels is to import original foreign uni-
versity textbooks and to teach bilingually or in English. From 2000, the
most recent original English textbooks in 20 subject areas, which deal
with information science and techniques, have been imported and
introduced into Chinese university campuses (China Education Daily,
September 6, 2001). A similar effort was also undertaken at institutional
level. For example, in 2002 about 10 of the most famous universities in
China decided to buy and utilize almost all of the textbooks now being
 526

Table 2. Change of internationalized curricula in Fudan University from 1990 to 2002

Types of internationalized 1990 2002
curricula based on OECD
Specification Program Specification Change Program Change
International subject 3 48 1 )2 53 +5
Internationally comparative 0 11 0 0 40 +29
approach
Curricula preparing students 3 37 1 )2 18 )19
for defined international professions
Foreign languages/cross-culture 4 89 6 +2 255 +166
Interdisciplinary region/area studies 0 28 0 0 113 +85
FUTAO HUANG

Partly offered abroad (graduate) 0 0 1 +1 7 +7

Total 10 213 9 )1 486 +273
Percentage of the total 14.5 18.9 14.3 )0.2 17.1 )1.8

Sources: Division of Teaching Affairs of Fudan University, A Glance of Teaching 1990. Division of Teaching Affairs of Fudan University.
December, 1990 (unofficially published). Division of Teaching Affairs of Fudan University, Plan for Undergraduate Teaching 2002
(unofficially published). http://www.software.fudan.edu.cn/htm/jiaoxuejihua02.htm. Access on October 9, 2003. M.C.van der Wende,
Internationalizing the Curriculum in Dutch Higher Education: an International Comparative Perspective, University Ultrecht, 1996. p.55.
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 527

used in Harvard University, Stanford University and MIT. The list of

materials includes not only books, tapes and CD’s concerning Natural
Science, Engineering and Medicine, but also those related to Law,
Trade, Management, and some Humanities (China Youth Daily, May
13, 2002). Further, with increased import of original textbooks in
English, and China’s participation in the WTO, more and more higher
education institutions in China have begun to make use of English
language or bilingual instruction (in most cases, referring to Chinese
and English) in university teaching and research activities. In 2001, a
document issued by the Ministry of Education indicates that in the
coming 3 years, from 5% to 10% of all the curricula in the leading
universities must be taught in English, especially in such areas as
Biology, Information Science, New Materials, International Trade, and
Law (China Education Daily, September 22, 2001).

Japan

Strongly stimulated by the government, by 2000 the number of

international students in Japan had doubled over the past decade.
Similarly to China, 92% of incoming international students in Japan
originated from Asian countries in 2000: the biggest share, 56%, came
from China, followed by students from South Korea, accounting for
16% of the total (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology, Japan, MEXT 2001). In terms of international students
by field of study, as indicated in Table 3, more than half of the stu-
dents took their courses in humanities and social science. However, in
contrast to China and The Netherlands, there were also many students
majoring in science, and especially in engineering. Differing largely
from China and The Netherlands, many private institutions in Japan
also play an important role in providing a variety of curricula for
international students. With some variation over time, while over half
of graduate students are located in national institutions, more than
two-third of undergraduate students and almost all students of short-
cycle programs are enrolled in private universities (Division of Inter-
national Students Bureau of Higher Education, MEXT 2001A). By
education level, in 2000, 37% of international students entered the
graduate schools, pursing master’s or Ph.D. courses, the rest of stu-
dents being enrolled in either undergraduate courses (43%) or short-
circle programs (20%) (Division of International Students Bureau of
Higher Education, MEXT 2001B).
528 FUTAO HUANG

Table 3. Percentage of international students by field of study in 2001

Field of study Percentage
Social science 29.7
Humanities 24.3
Engineering 15.4
Health 4.3
Education 4.2
Agriculture 3.3
Visual performing arts 2.9
Home economics 2.0
Physical science 1.7
Others 12.2
Total 100

Source: Division of International Students Bureau of Higher Education, MEXT, Waga

kuni no ryugakusei seido no gaiyou – ukeire oyobi haken, Outline of System of
International Students in Japan- Incoming and Sending. 2001. P.11.

With increases in the number of incoming international students,

great efforts have been made in the development and implementation of
programs designated for international students. Among these, increas-
ing numbers of English language programs, specifically provided for
international students, have been introduced in many institutions. In
general, the English language programs are divided into two types. The
degree-conferring courses or programs specially designated for inter-
national universities form one type. These special courses or programs
are largely provided in national universities at graduate level, mostly
being concerned with physical science, engineering, biology and medi-
cine. For example, by 2001, such graduate programs were provided in
34 national universities and 2 private universities. The other type refers
to courses in English specifically designed for students from North
America, Europe and other English-speaking countries at the under-
graduate level. According to the duration of programs, this type can be
further divided into two groups. One group comprises the one-year
programs, all provided by national universities, covering subjects in
humanities, social science and science as well as other fields of study:
credits of 30 units can be conferred by completion of these courses. The
other group extends from 4 months to 1 year and is almost entirely
provided by private universities with courses in humanities and social
science. In 2001, these two kinds of non-degree-conferring programs
were provided in 21 national universities and 20 private universities
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 529

(Division of International Students Bureau of Higher Education,

MEXT 2001C). While many degree programs are offered in English, in
graduate schools of physical science, engineering and medicine of
prestigious universities, very few English language programs are
provided in most other faculties or graduate schools of humanities and
social science. For example, in the School of Engineering at the Uni-
versity of Tokyo, it is considered that English language has almost an
equal significance for Japanese students as a way to communicate and
conduct research work. Not only are faculty members encouraged to
offer their lectures and presentations in English, but students are also
recommended to make their reports or write their masters’ or doctorate
theses either in Japanese or in English. (http://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/
international/gwp02.html accessed on October 9, 2003) However, in the
Faculty of Economics of the same university, it is clearly stated that no
degree-conferring programs are provided in English at either under-
graduate or graduate level: all programs are delivered in Japanese and
international students are strongly advised to have a good mastery of
Japanese language (http://www.e.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index-j.html accessed on
October 9, 2003).
Elsewhere, much progress has also been achieved in the inter-
nationalization of curricula that are open to both international and
domestic students. In particular, since the later 1990s, various attempts
have been made in private universities in providing more curricula with
an international or cross-cultural communication. For example, from
1998 to 2002, 16 private universities established faculties with interna-
tional or cross-cultural communication titles. Among these, curricula
with an international subject and cross-cultural communication or
understanding (international communication or culture, etc.) con-
stituted 27% of the total; curricula preparing students for defined
international professions (international business and international
management, etc.) accounted for 18%; and curricula in foreign lan-
guages or linguistics made up of 12% of the total. In addition, the
number of graduate programs closely associated with an international
orientation has also increased in some prestigious private universities.
For example, in the Asia and Pacific University of Ritsumeikan (APU)
which was founded in 2002, as half of the students on the campus come
from some 50 countries and regions, most of subjects are offered in both
Japanese and English in the first and second years. In the third and
fourth years, classes are offered in one of the two languages. Further-
more, two graduate schools – the Graduate school of Asia and Pacific
Studies, which consists of Asia–Pacific Studies and International
530 FUTAO HUANG

Cooperation Policy, and the Graduate School of Management that

offers MBA programs. As indicated in their names, many of the pro-
grams in the two schools are concerned with regional or area studies and
internationally recognized professions or diplomas. (http://www.apu.
ac.jp/accessed on September 8, 2003)
In comparison with the private sector, at the undergraduate level in
national universities the number of newly established faculties or uni-
versities with international or cross-cultural names has not increased so
rapidly. In the national institutions, the internationalization of curricula
is mostly implemented through development of new programs or
broadening the traditional or original subject areas with an interna-
tional/comparative approach in the existing faculties or is based on the
framework of existing specifications. Except for the newly-established
special graduate programs for international students mentioned above,
far fewer new faculties with international or cross-cultural names have
been established at the undergraduate level than in the private sector.
Similarly to China, the majority of curricula with international subjects
and contents are programs in foreign languages and linguistics.
According to the syllabus of Hiroshima University in the 2003 academic
year by field of study in humanities and social science, at the under-
graduate level, the number of curricula in foreign languages account for
about 90% of all those with international subjects or perspective; while
those dealing with history and culture of one country, or taught in an
internationally comparative approach, or interdisciplinary programs
covering more than one country, such as regional and area studies,
occupy about 21% of the total. In most cases, these curricula are offered
in the first or second years as selective courses, being open to any stu-
dents, including international students. In contrast, at graduate level,
the number of curricula focusing on one foreign country or on regional
and area studies increases to about 60%, while the number of curricula
in foreign languages is restricted to about 28% of the total curricula
related to the international subjects or perspective (http://www.bur.
hiroshima-u.ac.jp accessed on October 8, 2003).
As pointed out in the OECD documents, in more recent years,
internationalization of curricula in Japanese higher education institu-
tions is increasingly undertaken through institutional structures based on
numerous bi-and multilateral co-operation agreements between Japanese
and foreign institutions. For example, in 2002, about 600 universities
were registered as engaged in a total of 10,014 such agreements, an
increase from 6,133 agreements in 1995 (http://www.next.go.jp. accessed
on October 9, 2003). This type of co-operation greatly supports the
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 531

development and implementation of internationalization of curricula.

Additionally, efforts have also been made in all sectors, especially in
private universities, to employ more foreigners as faculty members with
the purpose of facilitating development and implement of international
programs. According to the data, the total number of foreign faculty
members being employed in all sectors increased from 3,955 in 1992 to
9,378 in 2002; the percentage of foreign faculty members in the public and
private sectors was 18% and 77%, with few changes over the decade
(Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, 1992 edition and
2002 edition). In some private universities, for example, in APU, half the
faculty members are employed from countries outside Japan.

The Netherlands

Compared with China and Japan, in which a majority of international

students come from Asia, international students in Dutch higher edu-
cation institutions from EU countries constitute the largest component
(Table 4). Among curricula designated for international students, many
are provided in English.
The development and implementation of English language programs
is an important part of internationalization of curricula in Dutch higher
education institutions. From the early 1950s, institutes for international
education have been established to provide curricula specifically
designed for international students and taught in English. Since the
latter part of the 1980s, many more English language programs have
also been introduced into Universities and Universities of Professional
Education (Table 5). In particular, the number of these programs has
increased much more rapidly in the universities. Normally, in both
universities and universities of professional education, except for a very

Table 4. Incoming mobility by region of origins in the academic year 1999–2000

Region Africa Asia EU Latin North Oceania East Other
America America Europe
Number 179 368 5,982 119 31 9 267 32
Percentage 2.6 5.3 85.6 1.7 0.4 0.13 3.8 0.5
of the total

Source: Based on data from BISCN Monitor of International Mobility in Education

2001, European Platform, Cinop, Nuffic. Compiled on Assignment for The Netherlands
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. P. 50. With author’s modification.
532 FUTAO HUANG

Table 5. Change of English language programs from 1995–2003

1995 2003
Total 364 100% 682 100% +318
University 94 25.8 281 41.2 +187
University of professional education 81 22.3 197 28.9 +116
Institute for international education 189 51.9 204 29.9 +15

Source: M.C. van der Wende. Internationalising the Curriculum in Dutch Higher
Education: an International Comparative Perspective. The Hague, The Netherlands,
1996. pp. 57, 64, 66. Also based on the data from http://www.english.uva.nl/education
accessed on April 27, 2003, but with author’s modifications.

few courses specially designated for international students, almost all of

the English language programs are open to any students, including
domestic students.
The distribution of English programs by field of study is shown in
Figure 2. In 2003 in all higher education institutions, programs

social and behavioral

transportation and
science
communication agriculture,forestry
14% and fishery
1%
15%
service and trade
3%
natural science architecture and city
5% planning
medicine and health 6%
science
5%
arts and humanities
3%
maths and computing
2%
business and
mass administration
communications and 17%
information science law
3% 7%
education and
fine arts and applied teacher training
engineering 2%
arts environmental 8%
2% science
7%

Figure 2. English language programs by field of study. Source: Based on the data from
http://www.english.uva.nl/education, with author’s modifications. Accessed on April
27, 2003.
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 533

number
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Ph D. master bachelor diploma certificate of
attendance

Figure 3. English programs by final qualification (2003). Source: Based on the data from
http://www.english.uva.nl/education, with author’s modifications. Accessed on April
27, 2003.

relating to business, administration and management rank top and

account for 17%; the second largest programs are those concerning
agriculture, forestry and fishery, making up 15%; and programs
relating to social and behavioral science provide 14% of the total. In
terms of final qualification, as indicated in Figure 3, the number of
programs offered at master’s level approached 300, more than any

Table 6. Internationalized curricula in Universities of Amsterdam and Leiden

Case studies/ Univ. of Univ. of
Amsterdam Leiden

Types based on OECD English Dutch English Dutch

International subject 3
Internationally comparative approach 2
Preparing for defined international 10 5
professions
Foreign languages or linguistics/cross-culture 2 10 4 20
Interdisciplinary region/area studies 7 1 7
Curricula leading to joint or double degrees 5
Total 24 11 21 20
Percentage of the total 25.5% 18.9% 40.4% 41.7%

Source: Based on the data from International Study programmes 2002–2003. University
van Amsterdam. Service & Informatiecentrum. Binnengasthuisstraat 9. 1012 ZA
Amsterdam. The Netherlands. Leiden University Programmes. June 2002. With author’s
modifications.
534 FUTAO HUANG

other programs, followed by programs conferring a certificate of

attendance for short-term international studies, mostly ranging from
6 months to 1 year.
Particularly in some leading universities, such as the University of
Amsterdam and the University of Leiden (Table 6), the number of
English language programs has exceeded that of programs offered in the
Dutch language. For example, by March 2003 in the University of
Amsterdam, the percentage of the programs delivered in Dutch con-
stitutes only about 38% of the total programs: 62% of programs are all
provided in English (based on the data from http://www.english.uva.nl/
education. accessed on April 27, 2003) The same situation is seen also in
Leiden University, in which the number of English language programs
surpasses 50% of the total, more than those offered in Dutch language
(based on the data from Leiden University Programmes. June 2002 and
http://www.leiden.edu/ accessed on April 27, 2003.)
However, it should be stressed that in both universities, while the
Dutch language programs are mainly provided at undergraduate level,
evidence shows that all English language programs are delivered at
graduate level and in particular at masters’ degree level.
On the other hand, and as in both China and Japan, of all the
programs offered in both English and Dutch with international sub-
jects or perspective, almost all of the Dutch language programs are
curricula in foreign languages or linguistics and provide training in
intercultural skills; in contrast most of the English language programs
have curricula that prepare students for defined international profes-
sional and interdisciplinary programs such as regional and area stu-
dies.
Compared with China and Japan, a majority of the English lan-
guage programs are normally introduced and implemented by faculty
members at individual institutions in The Netherlands. Most recently,
English language programs related to English language teaching and
international administration or business in cooperation with Turkey,
U.K. and Australia, have been provided in some universities for both
international students and Dutch students. For example, in Leiden
University there have existed joint international programs, such as
the European studies program in co-operation with Istanbul Bilgi
University in Turkey, International Masters Asia with the University
of Melbourne in Australia, the Leiden-Oxford Diploma Program and
the Medical Anthropology & Ethnobotany Program in co-operation
with the Universitas Padjadjan in Indonesia (Universiteit Leiden,
2002).
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 535

Discussion and analyses

As stated above, several similarities can be found among the three

countries. First, since the 1990s there has been a rapid increase in the
number of internationalized programs in the three countries. In parti-
cular the number of programs in foreign languages, most of them being
English subjects at the undergraduate level, has increased substantially.
Second, programs specially designated for international students mostly
cater to international students from a particular region or countries or
from nearby countries. For example, in The Netherlands the vast
majority of incoming international students come from EU countries;
and in China and Japan, the majority of international students come
from East Asian countries. The three case studies reflect the fact that not
only foreign students in developing countries are mainly from their
neighbors, as being pointed out by some scholars (Akinpelu 1994; Yang
2005), but also it is are true in developed countries. Third, the inter-
nationalized curricula in the three countries are normally composed of
two types: the first type represents programs concerning languages,
history or culture of the host country, which explicitly address cross-
cultural communication issues and provide training in intercultural
skills. A majority of them belong to non-degree-conferring courses that
are provided in a specially designated classes or centers for international
students on short-term, courses lasting from several weeks to one year
or so. Though some of them are still taught in local languages, the
number of programs delivered in English language has grown very
rapidly. The second type covers professional programs that are
regionally or internationally recognized for their high academic quality
in the host countries. These include, for example, programs of Chinese
medicine provided in Chinese universities, programs of engineering and
medicine in Japanese national universities and programs of agriculture,
forestry or management offered in Dutch institutions. Nearly all of
them belong to degree-conferring programs, mostly provided at the
graduate level. In most cases, they are not especially designated for
international students in a separate class but are also open to domestic
students. In this second type, the language of teaching varies greatly
among the countries. However, it is likely that increasingly such pro-
grams will be delivered in English. For example, in The Netherlands, as
mentioned above, the number of English programs at graduate level has
already exceeded 50% of the total in some research-oriented uni-
versities; In Japan, they are mostly provided in English in graduate
schools of physical science, engineering and medicine both in leading
536 FUTAO HUANG

national universities and in a few prestigious private institutions at both

undergraduate and graduate levels; In China, compared with the other
two countries, few English programs can be found in most institutions
except for a very limited number of faculties or colleges of engineering
and natural science in leading universities; but since the latter 1990s, the
number of English programs is growing. Moreover, since the 1990s, the
English language has also been widely adopted in teaching various
degree-conferring programs; especially in the most recent years, the
development and implementation of English programs at graduate level.
In addition, the wide use of English language as a medium of instruction
in non-degree-conferring programs and development of English pro-
grams in some professional areas at graduate level are not only con-
sidered as a means of attracting more international students, and as a
tool to transmit one national character and identity, but are also re-
garded as an effective way to improve domestic students’ competency in
English, internationalize educational programs of one’s own country
and enhance the quality of education and research.
On the other hand, difference can also be found in the develop-
ment and implementation of internationalized programs among the
three countries. In China, as more non-degree-conferring programs
concerning Chinese language, Chinese history and Chinese medicine
are provided for international students and few English language
programs are offered for all students, the internationalization of
curricula is language/culture-oriented, characterized by more informal
and local language programs. With regard to The Netherlands, since
the internationalization of university curriculums is heavily influenced
by the European labor market, it is more academically and pro-
fessionally oriented, and mostly delivered in English at a graduate
level. Hence, it is academic/professional-oriented with a strong Eur-
opean and international dimension. As for Japan, on the one hand,
similarly to China, there are many non-degree-conferring programs
concerning Japanese and Japanese culture offered in Japanese lan-
guage, mostly in the private sector and focused on humanities and
social science at undergraduate level; on the other hand, as in The
Netherlands, in the national institutions there has been a rapid
growth in the number of degree-conferring programs at postgraduate
level, in natural science and engineering, among which there has been
an increase in the number of English language programs. In a sense,
the internationalization of curricula in Japanese higher education
institutions is moving from the traditional language/culture-oriented
type to a more intensive academic/professional one, with a further
 INTERNATIONALIZATION OF CURRICULA 537

emphasis on internationally recognized professional programs and

certificates.

Concluding remarks

First and foremost, over the past decades the number of programs
about learning English at the undergraduate level for local students,
mostly offered in the domestic language and English language programs
concerning national character or culture for international students as
well as professional programs have greatly increased. In other words,
programs concerning English teaching and English language programs
have played an increasingly important role in the internationalization of
curricula in higher education institutions. Similarly, it implies that in the
non-English-speaking countries there has been a growing importance of
English as the language of communication, distribution of knowledge,
and instruction in higher education in the internationalization of cur-
ricula in higher education institutions. A combination of courses taught
in English with courses on local language, culture, and history appears
to be one effective way of providing a multilinguistic and multicultural
dimension (De Wit 2002). The driving force behind the development of
English language programs lies not only in the ability to attract more
incoming international students, but also as an important way to
internationalize the curricula in one’s own institution and upgrade
quality and standards, and as a mechanism for facilitating the inter-
nationalization of the higher education system.
Moreover, all the three countries are making efforts to provide more
academic and professional programs in English at the postgraduate
level for both international and domestic students instead of relying on
traditional programs especially designated for international students in
language teaching or cultural understanding. Non-degree, short-term
programs for international students still continue to exist and constitute
an integral part of the internalized curricula. However, more emphasis
has been placed on development of degree programs particularly at
graduate level, which are open to all students. These programs now
constitute a growing share of the internationalized curricula of higher
education institutions.
Finally, due to the growing importance of the English language it is
likely that in future more and more internationalized curricula will be
provided in cooperation with foreign partners, especially jointly with
institutions in English-speaking countries rather than, as at present, be
538 FUTAO HUANG

restricted to the national context or individual institutions in the host

country. This may take the form of providing joint programs in
cooperation with foreign partners, leading to both local and foreign
degrees and delivered in English or bilingually, as is being done in China
and the Netherlands; or it may also be implemented, as is being con-
ducted in Japanese higher education institutions, with programs of
international subjects being offered based on numerous bi-and multi-
lateral cooperation agreements between Japanese and foreign institu-
tions.

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