Abstract:
International collaborations in the vocational and training (VET) sector has grown significantly in the past three decades in China as well as in other parts of the world. Despite its growing prominence, it remains a largely under-researched field compared to the large volume of research on universities’ internationalisation. Particularly, it is unclear how internationalisation practices improve vocational students’ academic and social competencies, and readiness for employment. This study was intended to fill this current gap in the literature by investigating a selected joint venture VET college in China. Internationalisation has been reported to provide a number of benefits for students related broadly to three aspects: academic competence, cultural sensitivity and soft skills, and employment readiness and upward mobility (e.g. see Crossman & Clarke, 2010; Egetenmeyer, Rüffin, & Blachnio, 2011; J.-H. Li, 2008; J. Li, 2004; Shen, 2007; Tran & Dempsey, 2017). This case study employed a mixed method to address key questions related to benefits gained by vocational students through joint venture programs. Over 200 current students and 100 graduates were surveyed to investigate their motives for studying at the joint venture college, to what extent they are satisfied with the quality of the courses, and what they believe are their major benefits. Graduates’ involvement in this study helped reveal the long-term effects of internationalised learning experiences on their careers and personal development. Statistical tests were performed to analyse the data collected via the surveys. College leaders, program coordinators and course teachers from both partner institutes were interviewed for their perceptions of the benefit that international collaboration has brought to their students. Thematic coding was applied to the interview data. Together with the benefits, tensions also were observed in balancing the needs of students with different study plans and in providing students with more work-based learning opportunities.
The findings of this study are valuable for other joint venture programs in the VET sector to review and improve their practices to maximise the benefits students obtain. In addition, international VET providers who intend to pursue the Chinese market may learn from this study to develop their strategies and curriculum wisely to deliver joint courses. Given that a considerable number of joint venture programs in China are facing enrolment difficulties, only high quality courses that can contribute to the growth of students’ capabilities and employment opportunities will survive in today’s competitive market and meet the interests of both partners and students.
The findings of this study are valuable for other joint venture programs in the VET sector to review and improve their practices to maximise the benefits students obtain. In addition, international VET providers who intend to pursue the Chinese market may learn from this study to develop their strategies and curriculum wisely to deliver joint courses. Given that a considerable number of joint venture programs in China are facing enrolment difficulties, only high quality courses that can contribute to the growth of students’ capabilities and employment opportunities will survive in today’s competitive market and meet the interests of both partners and students.