This paper examines how state internationalization policies are adopted and adapted by universities and its unit levels in three non-English speaking countries in Asia, namely Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia. It is a cross-country comparison with regards to regional proximity, non-English-speaking situations, and different demographic situation. Applying the qualitative method, the study found that the rationales for internationalization of higher education institutions differ significantly among the three. Each is strongly influenced, at the national level, demographic variables, stages of economic and higher education development, and geopolitical position.
As a result, there are variations of policy and policy implementation across the countries at the national, university, and unit levels. Taiwan and Japan tend to marketize their universities by inbounding the best talents from overseas. While Taiwan has focused more on inbounding students from New Southbound Policy countries and beyond, Japan shows recent growing interest in outbounding its own local students for the purpose of nurturing them to be more globally fit. Indonesia on the other hand, demonstrates its internationalization by focusing on outbounding its students and scholars to pursue and experience HE abroad.
Accordingly, universities and units tend to follow their respective country's national policy by gaining grants from the governments, which are important resources for their internationalization programs. The activities are shaped not only by government guidance but also by the role and position of each university in its respective country, as well as own directions and goals, which are set based on their history and mission.