This study traces the internationalization of Singapore universities from a historical and developmental perspective. The main Research Question is: “Why and how have Singapore universities internationalized since the beginning of nationhood in the early 1960’s to the globalized economy of today?” It seeks an in-depth understanding of (a) the meanings of internationalization, (b) the rationales for it; and (c) the approaches to it - from the Singapore government’s and universities’ perspectives. The study is located within the interpretative paradigm with a qualitative research approach using documentary analysis as the sole data collection method. The focus is on the three publicly-funded universities, namely NUS, NTU and SMU in Singapore. Being publicly-funded, the rationales for internationalising and the strategies used are more likely to be influenced by governmental policies and direction. Relevant sources examined include published government and university documents available from university libraries, web-sites and government archival records. Among the key findings are - that the internationalization of Singapore universities is inevitable given 21st century globalization and knowledge-based economies; and the government’s tight instrumental interdependence between education and economic development. The term ‘internationalization’ of universities is interpreted as ‘going global’ by the government; and ‘to be a global university’ by the three case universities. Singapore‘s universities are used as key ‘instruments’ to foster and attract talent, both local and foreign – to overcome a scarcity of skilled labour. Hence, the ‘internationalization’ of Singapore universities aims to – produce ‘world ready’ graduates, enhance ‘global competitiveness’, and talent augmentation (attracting foreign talent). Some of the Internationalization strategies adopted by the government and universities are unique. Two analytical models of internationalization of universities are developed from the study as its theoretical contribution.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.

Este estudo é resultado de pesquisa realizada com coordenadores e ex-coordenadores de projetos de parceria universitária financiados por meio do Programa CAPES/Brafitec (Brasil-France Ingénieur Technologie). Um dos programas mais consolidados da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), o Brafitec viabiliza a formação de redes de cooperação entre Escolas de Engenharia do Brasil e da França. O Programa é resultado da parceria da CAPES com a CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) e, desde sua criação em 2002, já beneficiou 5.220 alunos brasileiros e 2.273 franceses por meio de 204 projetos financiados. Esta pesquisa objetiva avaliar a contribuição do Brafitec para: a internacionalização dos cursos de engenharia no Brasil; o reconhecimento recíproco de créditos; e a geração de oportunidades de prática profissional por meio de estágios em laboratórios e empresas no Brasil e na França. / This study is based on a survey conducted with coordinators and former coordinators of university partnership projects funded within the CAPES/Brafitec Program (Brazil-France Engineer Technology). One of the most successful programs of the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), Brafitec enables the creation of cooperation networks among Brazilian and French Engineering Schools. The Program resulted from the agreement between CAPES and CDEFI (Conference des Directours d’Écoles et Formations d’Ingénieurs) and, since its establishment in 2002, it has benefited 5.220 Brazilian and 2.273 French students within 204 financed projects. This research aims to evaluate Brafitec’s contribution to: the internationalization of engineering courses in Brazil; the mutual recognition/transfer of credits; and the establishment of work experience opportunities through internships at laboratories and companies in Brazil and France.