Investigating Interconnections between the Higher Education Internationalization Policies of Japan and Australia

2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02973
• Research Institution: Seinan Jo Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: サリバン クリステン 西南女学院大学, 人文学部, 教授 (80514132)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Internationalization / Higher Education / Australia-Japan / 国際化 / 高等教育 / 日豪関係

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

While there was little overlap between the Australian and Japanese government’s higher education internationalization policy aims in the 1980s-1990s, there was much interest about Japan and the Japanese language in Australia within government, industry, and the academic community during this period. In order to understand how this interest led to the initial development of study abroad and academic cooperation agreements, and to identify the various forces which contributed to this, I have been investigating discussions about this in the Japan Studies Association of Australia Newsletter and Bulletin from the first edition in 1981 until the publication became a journal in 1998. While this investigation is not yet complete, it has revealed how in-country study in Japan was perceived, the key issues, and the concerned parties during this period.
I was also able to interview a representative from the Japan Foundation to gain information and materials about the Japan Foundation’s early activities in Australia.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

I was able to conduct the analysis of the Japan Studies Association of Australia Newsletter and Bulletin and tentatively identify key stakeholders to be interviewed for the next stage of the project. However, travel restrictions, the canceling or moving online of events which would have allowed for networking opportunities, and disruption to the higher education internationalization sector due to COVID-19, have interrupted progress into the next stage of the project which focuses on interviewing key stakeholders. As a result I have had to extend the term of the project by one year.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Firstly, I will complete the analysis of the Japan Studies Association of Australia Newsletter and Bulletin, and write up the findings for publication. I will also use this analysis to further identify stakeholders to be interviewed, and areas to be investigated.
Secondly, as travel restrictions have now been lifted, I will focus mainly on interviewing key stakeholders, and also continuing to procure important documents.
Thirdly, I will continue to investigate, through literature review, discourses of global human resources in Australia and Japan and the impact of this on internationalization policies.
Finally, I will analyze the findings of these investigations and write this up for publication.

Causes of Carryover

The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, including travel restrictions as well as the canceling or moving online of events and conferences, as well as the general disruption to the higher education internationalization sector, made it extremely difficult to conduct the project as originally planned. Specifically, I was unable to attend events and conferences or conduct interviews with key stakeholders as planned, which is the primary reason for not completely using the allocated budget for 2022, and also the reason for needing to extend the project for a further year. In order to complete the project, I plan to use the remaining budget to conduct interviews and procure necessary documents which can only be accessed onsite.