Інтернаціоналізація вищої освіти в Словаччині: цільові пріоритети та особливості реалізації

Abstract

INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SLOVAKIA: TARGET PRIORITIES AND FEATURES OF IMPLEMENTATION In the article the current situation in the field of internationalization of higher education in the Slovak Republic has been analyzed. The main goals, forms and tools of implementing internationalization of higher education in Slovakia are clarified. Appropriate conditions have been created for the implementation of internationalization at the institutional, national and pan-European levels. As part of the European Higher Education Area, Slovak higher education adheres to the principles of cooperation, coordination and streamlining of joint activities. Internationalization finds systematic support at the Slovak state level. The Higher Education Internationalization Strategy in the Slovak Republic is outlined. The strategy outlines a medium-term concept targeting internationalization of higher education as an effective tool for improving the quality of education and the research environment at universities in the Slovak Republic by 2030. It is defined that implementation of internationalization strategy is one of the priority tasks for the national policy in Slovakia. The analysis of the experience of Slovak universities allows us to identify the following main forms and tools of internationalization: development of university strategies of internationalization; introduction of various forms of academic mobility; internationalization of educational programs and training courses, their promotion in the international educational market; implementation of joint educational and research projects with foreign partners; organizational support of internship programs for international students and researchers, etc. Along with the benefits, internationalization and mobility poce new challenges for Slovak society. There is a problem of imbalance between incoming and outgoing forms of mobility in the Slovak Republic. Despite the obvious benefits of international mobility, researchers are increasingly focusing on the problem of «brain drain» and the loss of intellectual potential. Based on the analysis of the current state of internationalization in Slovakia, it is concluded that the country's higher education system is characterized by a significant degree of European integration and international openness.