A Model for Internationalization of Universities in the Fields of Humanities and Social Science

The present research aimed to formulate a conceptual model for internationalization of universities in the fields of humanities and social sciences. This study was a qualitative using a grounded theory approach. The study population included university experts and faculty members who published works on internationalization, managers of international offices, and chancellors of humanities and social sciences faculties in state universities in Tehran. A total of 12 participants were selected for this study through purposive sampling. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The methods employed to assess the validity and reliability of the data included review by members, triangulation of data, and review by co-researchers. The results revealed that internationalization of universities involves 8 main components: exchange of data among professors, students, and researchers, research and academic cooperation and interaction, education and research and international services, exchange of knowledge and theories, creation of an international culture, retention of the elite, revenue generation, and competition. Three strategies were also developed based on promotion and restrictive factors of internationalization of universities. And the final model was presented according to the mentioned factors.