IAU has been tracking the evolution and development of the internationalization process over the past decade. Tremendous changes have occurred both in terms of the intensity with which internationalization is pursued by nations and institutions and in the breadth of activities taking place. There have been growing debates on whether there is a common understanding of internationalization, whether the often used definitions do not miss anything and whether it would be worthwhile to pursue a new prescriptive definition and what elements need to be stressed.

In a truly dynamic exchange with many contrasting points of view, a consensus was reached that it was time to re-examine, or rethink the concept of internationalization. Researchers and practitioners have questioned and debated the ways in which internationalization has been misinterpreted and/or compared or contrasted to other processes, most frequently globalization.

An international ad-hoc expert group was created to continue gathering other perspectives and answer these and related questions. Now with over 30 members, with individuals and groups from every region, this group aims to bring together views from all parts of the world in order to: assess the extent to which internationalization activities fit the current conceptual umbrella; critically examine the causes that lead to questioning and even criticism of the concept; and investigate the ways to address these concerns. So far the group has met virtually and begun discussions on these general questions. Africa is represented in this team by Prof. Olugbemiro Jegede, Secretary General AAU, Piyushi Kotecha of SARUA and James Otieno Jowi of ANIE.