Internacionalização na/da UNIFAL-MG: da concepção à prática

Abstract

This project aims to investigates the concepts and practices of internationalization, within the scope of the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG); its main objective is to identify the relation between internationalization conceived in policies, institutional plans and documents referring to the internationalization process at UNIFAL-MG; and its practical dimension, composed of actions, activities that are referred to as internationalization. In this study, it is understood that internationalization, in the higher education scenario, is a non-neutral multidimensional process that materializes institutionally, crossing different levels, sectors and academic-university functions. It uses as theoretical references presented by Morosini, Dalla Corte, Lima, Maranhão, Sebástian, Knight, Hudzki, De Wit, Leask, among others. The investigation process is supported by the assumptions of the quantitative-qualitative approach, using institutional documents, a questionnaire with professors from the institution's permanent staff and semi-structured interviews with managers, as a source of information collection; in addition, it is guided by the constructive-interpretative methodology for the analysis and interpretation of information. It was possible to verify that the term internationalization started to be evidenced in official documents, although there are different perspectives, the institutional vision imprinted in the goals and objectives of the official documents does not contemplate the wealth of actions that occur within them, which are also developed by personal initiative and efforts made by teachers and managers. The visibility and understanding of these initiatives as well as an alignment between them around consistent institutional purposes and through institutional incentives and commitments could further strengthen the process of internationalization within the university and also reflect it outside it.