The Role of Barriers, Perceptions, And Strategic Gaps In Attracting International Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33095/6ezaqm93Keywords:
International students, Higher education marketing, Strategic barriers, Kurdistan universities, Government supportAbstract
This paper examined the administrative outlooks of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq regarding the issue of recruiting international students, based on the perceived obstacles, institutional approaches, and the desired support of the government. The study is based on institutional theory and strategic management in higher education, which offers a strong theoretical framework for investigating how universities can ensure their internal capabilities are aligned with external policy structures. Quantitative research design was incorporated, and a structured survey was introduced to the presidents, deans, vice presidents, and directors of international relations and admissions of various universities. The collected data were analyzed using inferential statistical methods and model testing to examine the relationships among the core variables influencing international student attraction. The research problem is on the ways in which the perception of administrators can assist reveal the gaps between strategic objectives and practice in the context of the Kurdistan private institutions of higher education. The paper includes practical and social implications that could be presented in the form of evidence-based policy recommendations to policymakers and university leaders who want to increase the global academic competitiveness of the region. It highlights the urgent necessity of coordinated institutional policies, as well as enabling societal policies. The novelty and usefulness of the study lie in its focus on a relatively under-researched regional setting, which contributes to the general discussion of globalization in developing higher education markets
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