Journal of Management and Planning In Educational System

Journal of Management and Planning In Educational System

Evaluation of the Causes of Incomplete Achievement of the Goals of the Internationalization of Higher Education in the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Stakeholders’ Perspectives

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors
Sanaz Haghighi Sani 1
Gholamreza Haddad 2
1 M.A. Graduate in Public Policy, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Economy and Public Policy, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
10.48308/mpes.2026.242259.1673
Abstract
Objective: In the contemporary era, which is increasingly characterized by a reliance on knowledge and the knowledge-based economy, higher education is recognized as one of the most vital pillars of sustainable development in modern societies. Universities and higher education institutions are no longer merely centers for knowledge transmission; rather, they have evolved into hubs of scientific production, innovation, and cultural and economic interactions on a global scale. In this context, adopting knowledge-based policies, responding to societal demands, and aligning with global trends are of strategic importance. The internationalization of higher education has become an inevitable policy priority, evolving from an option into a necessity for the survival and advancement of national academic systems. This process facilitates improvements in the quality of education and research, enhances the global reputation of universities, attracts international talent and financial resources, and strengthens science diplomacy. Despite the recognition of its importance and the efforts made in recent years, the overarching goals of higher education internationalization in the Islamic Republic of Iran do not appear to have been fully achieved. Accordingly, the present study aimed to identify in depth the structural, cultural, political, and economic causes and barriers hindering this process from the perspectives of key stakeholders and principal actors. The study sought to answer the following central question: Why have the objectives of higher education internationalization in Iran not been fully achieved despite its undeniable imperatives, and what strategies can be proposed to improve and advance the current situation?

Materials and Methods: This study adopted a qualitative approach and employed thematic analysis to develop a deep and comprehensive understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives and lived experiences. The study population consisted of academic experts, including prominent professors and researchers, senior policymakers, and executive managers who possessed either specialized theoretical knowledge or direct practical experience in the internationalization of higher education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, which allowed for in-depth exploration of participants’ perspectives and flexibility in asking follow-up questions. Sampling began with purposive sampling and continued through snowball sampling to identify and interview knowledgeable individuals who played key roles in this field. In total, 11 experts were interviewed, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, defined as the point at which no new concepts or categories emerged from the data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques to identify and categorize the main and subthemes related to barriers to the internationalization of higher education in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Discussion and Conclusion: A rigorous analysis of the interview data revealed a broad and interconnected set of barriers that pose significant challenges to achieving the goals of higher education internationalization in Iran. These barriers can be classified into policy, structural, cultural, and economic and infrastructural levels. At the macro-policy level, the key findings identified several limiting factors, including the absence of a strategic vision at the policy-making and implementation levels; the lack of a comprehensive national strategy for the internationalization of higher education; policymakers’ inadequate understanding of the various dimensions of internationalization; the dominance of a security-oriented paradigm over science diplomacy; and the cognitive and perceptual biases of higher education policymakers. These factors constrain the conditions necessary for free and constructive academic interaction. At the structural level, administrative centralization and inefficient bureaucracy within the higher education system, the lack of a specialization-oriented approach to human resource policy in higher education, declining educational and research standards, and insufficient attention to international languages in higher education language planning have reduced the agility of the internationalization process. From a cultural perspective, the conflict between the prevailing political discourse and the requirements of higher education internationalization, together with cultural and social resistance to this process, has reduced the institutional acceptance of internationalization, leaving it largely nominal rather than embedded in institutional practices. Finally, at the economic and infrastructural level, the lack of essential infrastructure for implementing higher education internationalization and the economic system’s inability to provide adequate financial support for this policy have diminished the attractiveness of Iranian universities to international audiences. Drawing on the identified barriers, this study proposes a set of practical policy recommendations to address these challenges and facilitate the internationalization of higher education in the Islamic Republic of Iran. These recommendations can serve as a practical guide for policymakers and managers working in this field.
Keywords
higher education policy
higher education system
internationalization of higher education
stakeholders
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