The Role of Internationalization for Quality Assurance in Higher Education Systems: The Case of Georgia

Abstract

Internationalization and quality assurance in higher education systems are strongly interrelated dimensions. Overall, internationalization of higher education has a strong positive undercurrent, as it is expected to serve teaching, learning and research quality enhancement, technological innovation, economic development and social well-being. Thus, internationalization should not be understood as an ultimate objective in itself but as a means to enhance higher education quality at large. Considering that the Georgian higher education system still encounters significant challenges in the provision of high-quality academic services (even after 13 years since joining the Bologna process), the present paper reflects on the internationalization policies and practices in Georgian higher education.