GALVANIZING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH INTERNATIONALIZED TERTIARY EDUCATION: WOMEN'S PERSPECTIVE

The internationalization of education plays progressive role in higher education system by promoting global collaborative and inclusive environment which advances women empowerment and equity. The present study put the spotlight on Indian women’s perspective about internationalization of higher education, with special references to women’s level of awareness, perception of global benefits, major challenges and  key roles in women empowerment. Online survey via Google form was administered and responses from 86 female students was recorded which are enrolled at various teacher education programs viz., Undergraduate, Post-graduate, and Doctoral respectively. An inventory of 18 items based on four variables- awareness, benefits, challenges and role in women empowerment in addition to demographic variables was developed and administered by researcher. Data was analyzed by using statistical measures like frequency and percentage. Results shows that despite of challenges almost all women are very keen to be a part of internationalized higher education system and strongly willing to accept modern and global trends in education. This study helps to understand the expectations of learner from educational institutions. Providing global collaborative and inclusive environment, resources and funding, faculty & student exchange programs, global market/service oriented programs, fusion of all modes of learning, international internships, gender equity in academic opportunities, life skills development through global curricula, controlled models of governance are some of the reforms needed by Indian higher education institutions to fulfill the needs of learner of today and tomorrow.