Internationalization of Medical Education in China: A Case Study of Policy and Practice in University Staff and Faculty Members’ Outward Mobility

Background: Due to the impact of globalization, especially in the light of COVID-19 pandemic, internationalization of medical education is critical. As the key agent in the progress of higher education internationalization, university staff and faculty members were understudied. This study aims to investigate internationalization of medical university staff and faculty member with a longitudinal quantitative study on their outward mobility. Methods: The subject of this study was a cohort of university staff and faculty members who went mobile during their employment. The number of participation in overseas activity is the index to the character of mobility. Descriptive statistics was applied using Microsoft Excel. Certain variables were considered: the ratio of outward staff to the population, purpose of mobility, time length of overseas stay and destinations. Data were classified and summarized, calculations were made by percentage. Results: Although there was a rising tendency of international involvement among university staff, a considerably large proportion was disengaged from cross-border activities. For those with outward mobility experiences, there might be a lack of individual willingness for internationalization. While being mobile, most of them were research focused, less attention was paid in either teaching or service. Administrative staff and laboratory staff did not receive the requisite level of training for adaptation to internationalization. Conclusions: This is the first study describing the outward mobility of university staff and faculty members with longitudinal quantitative research method in Internationalisation of Higher Education and Internationalisation of Medical Education, complementing the literature with a Chinese format. Although this study was conducted in medical context, the findings resonate with those in Internationalisation of Higher Education literature. In future endeavors, more emphasis are recommended to shift toward internationalization for all members, integrating the different dimensions of internationalization.