SFS is generally positive about a national support function but critical of the lack of focus on education and student representation.
The final report is the second part of a government assignment to the Swedish Council for Universities, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova on responsible internationalization. In our consultation response In the interim report, SFS was critical of the proposals, particularly due to their lack of clarity in the form of governance and the limited attention to education and teaching.
In this consultation response, SFS views the proposal for a national support function positively, as competence and knowledge-enhancing initiatives aimed at higher education institutions are preferable to more controlling or interventionist measures from the state.
However, SFS is critical of the final report's limited focus on education and teaching and the lack of student representation in the support function. In addition, SFS emphasizes the need for a strong sector connection and clear student representation to ensure that the support function can become a real support for the higher education institutions.
SFS believes that the support function must have a strong connection to the higher education sector and be designed in close dialogue with the sector to avoid the risk of over-correction and negative effects on academic freedom and research quality.
The student perspective needs to be integrated as a permanent part of the support function. This is motivated by the fact that the support function is expected to handle and prepare issues of internationalization that directly affect students and their education. Although the support function is not a decision-making body, its guiding function is likely to influence decisions concerning education and students.
SFS therefore proposes that student representatives be appointed at the national level to ensure that the voice and perspectives of students are taken into account in a systematic and effective manner. Such a solution would not only comply with the provisions of the Higher Education Act but also contribute to a more legitimate and inclusive support function that can better meet the needs of higher education institutions and students.
SFS welcomes continued dialogue about the role of internationalization in higher education and hopes that our views on the role of education and student representation will be given greater space in the future.
Read the full consultation response in the document below.