Background information
To provide a basis for developing MINT Nuffic first did a literature survey, resulting among others in an overview of existing national and international tools.
Download the list of existing tools(37.2 kB)
The preliminary research was used to develop a framework that defines the relationship between internationalisation policy and activities. This was also based on Jane Knight’s definition of internationalisation:
‘The process of integrating an international, intercultural, or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of postsecondary education.’
The MINT questionnaires were then modeled on the framework developed, focusing on:
- internationalisation objectives and policies
- internationalisation activities
- facilities
- quality assurance
- key (output) indicators
- outcomes
The list of existing tools shows that there is a wide range of possible indicators. Choosing appropriate indicators was therefore paramount to creating a useful tool. And this is exactly what we did for MINT.
Consultation
We developed MINT in collaboration with a number of institutions, which together served as an assessment panel. To ensure speed and efficiency, the number of collaborating institutions was limited. These were:
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Hanze University Groningen
HAS Den Bosch University
Hogeschool Leiden
Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences – HES School of Economics and Business
Hogeschool Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences
Royal Academy of Art (KABK)
NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences
University of Groningen
Saxion Universities of Applied Sciences
Delft University of Technology
Leiden University
Utrecht Summer School
VU University Amsterdam
In developing MINT, we also consulted our sister organisations in Germany and Norway involved in similar activities, as well as two specialised agencies: Research voor Beleid and Blauw Research.
Launch of the MINT tool
MINT was first run as a pilot project in April and May 2008. The web tool was tested by 48 study programmes, departments and faculties of the institutions listed above. The results of the pilot project were used to develop a new and improved version of the tool.
In June 2009 the first official version of MINT was made available to all Dutch institutions. Among other things, the new version of MINT was entirely in English. This enabled users to make comparisons with partner institutions in both the Netherlands and abroad. In addition it allows international comparison of similar tools.
In October 2012 a revised version, including new aspects such as 'transnational education' and 'outcomes of internationalisation', as well as improvements to existing features was launched.