PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS PROGRAMS IN EUROPEAN UNION, RUSSIA, AND CHINA: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND LESSONS FOR UKRAINE

Galyna Solovey

doi:10.23856/3869

Galyna Solovey National University of Kyiv-Mohila Academy http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9535-4447

Keywords: scholarship program, internationalization of higher education, students’ mobility, public diplomacy, talent attraction

Abstract

Existing Ukrainian governmental scholarship program for foreign students needs to be redesigned. Now Ukrainian scholarship program is not fulfill its main public diplomacy purpose, has problems with efficiency of budget allocation, and uses outdated selection process and ineffective administration. Potential candidates for Ukrainian scholarship program can also participate in the scholarship programs proposed by European Union, Russian Federation and Republic of China among others. Purposes, designs and administration of mentioned above three different scholarship programs for foreign students are analyzed using comparative method and official data from Ministries of education and international organizations. The main findings of this research could be recommendations for Ukrainian policy makers. 1) To separate scholarship programs for ethnic Ukrainians and foreign students; 2) to include but not to be limited by bilateral agreements in providing scholarships for foreign students; 3) to allocate budget for the scholarship program, not based by bilateral agreements; 4) to introduce non-degree scholarship programs, and 5) to incorporate international students into Ukrainian students’ body.

References

1. De Wit, H. & Merkx, G. (2012). “The history of internationalisation of higher education” Deardorff, D., de Wit, H., Heyl, J. & Adams, T. (Eds.). The SAGE handbook of international higher education Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. (pp. 43–59).
2. Dong, L. & Chapman, D. (2008). The Chinese Government Scholarship Program: An Effective Form of Foreign Assistance? International Review of Education / Internationale Zeitschrift Für Erziehungswissenschaft / Revue Internationale De L'Education, 54(2), 155–173.
3. Healey, N. (2008). Is Higher Education in Really 'Internationalising'? Higher Education, 55(3), 333–355.
4. Hudzik, J. K. (2011). Comprehensive internationalization: From concept to action. Washington, DC: NAFSA: Association of International Educators.www.nafsa.org/uploadedFiles/NAFSA_Home/Resource_Library_Assets/Publications_Library/2011_Comprehen_Internationalization.pdf
5. Jallade, J. (2011). International Approaches to Education: A review of some major cooperative programmes. European Journal of Education, 46(1), 7–24.
6. Lindsay, B. (1989). Integrating International Education and Public Diplomacy: Creative Partnerships or Ingenious Propaganda? Comparative Education Review, 33(4), 423–436.
7. McMahon M. E. (1992). Higher Education in a World Market: An Historical Look at the Global Contest of International Study, Higher Education, 24 (4), 465–482.
8. Tsvetkova, N. (2008). International Education during the Cold War: Soviet Social Transformation and American Social Reproduction. Comparative Education Review, 52(2), 199–217.