Internationalisation and Europeanisation of higher education

attitudes of academic staff

Абстракт

This study was inspired by the goals set at the Gothenburg European Council (2017) and the initiative of the European Commission to encourage the establishment of innovative European university networks where multilingualism and interdisciplinarity lay the foundation of research and educational cooperation. Using a qualitative research approach, the study explored how academic staff at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” perceive internationalisation in higher education. The empirical data show that academics see internationalisation as a very positive trend and a major factor in their professional development. Based on the identified catalysts and barriers to the participation of academics in this process, the paper offers recommendations for institutional measures to facilitate staff involvement in internationalisation activities, and thereby ensure that the institution itself can successfully function in the growing European interconnectedness and interdependence in the fields of education and science.