Internationalizing higher education – challenges and possibilities for social work education

Abstract

The article discuss some questions concerning internalisation of social work education; Is internalisation of higher education (IHE) due to globalisation processes characterised by commodification and utilitarianism? Does this represent a challenge to the traditional function and role of higher education system? What more specific are the pro and contra arguments for IHE? How and to what extent have harmonizing policies taken place within higher educations systems? Does a contradiction exist between comparative social work (which is made possible by IHE),and contextual social work emphasizing the need of local knowledge? How should professional social work relate to this possible contradiction?