Mapping Science of Internationalization in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in BRICS Countries (2001–2024)

Rizki Triandari; Gema Rullyana

doi:10.17509/pdgia.v23i2.99014

Mapping Science of Internationalization in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in BRICS Countries (2001–2024)

Rizki Triandari, Gema Rullyana

Abstract

The objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on the internationalization of higher education in BRICS countries, based on 800 journal articles published between 2001 and 2024 and indexed in the Scopus database. The study aims to measure publication volume, identify the most influential countries, journals, authors, and documents, and to map thematic trends and the intellectual structure of the field. The findings reveal a consistent increase in publication output, particularly during the period 2018–2023. China emerged as the most productive and influential country, followed by South Africa and Brazil. Key contributors shaping the discourse include P.G. Altbach, J. Knight, S. Marginson, and K.H. Mok, with a focus on academic mobility, internationalization policy, and institutional transformation. Keyword analysis reveals six major thematic clusters: international policy and mobility; curriculum and pedagogy; international student experience; higher education system transformation; critical approaches such as decolonization; and language policy. Temporal visualization also indicates increasing scholarly attention to emerging topics such as sustainability, soft power, and COVID-19. This study provides a valuable foundation for future research on internationalization strategies in higher education, particularly within developing countries that are seeking to strengthen their presence in the global academic landscape.

Keywords

Bibliometric Analysis, BRICS, Higher Education, Internationalization

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/pdgia.v23i2.99014