Beyond Student Mobility: A Framework for Sustainable International TVET Ecosystems

Abstract

The internationalization of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has traditionally been centered on student mobility programs. Despite their benefits, such programs often suffer from a lack of sustainability, limited inclusivity, and a failure to produce deep, long-term impact, highlighting a disconnect between aspirations for substantive global cooperation and the reality of transient, transaction-oriented partnerships. This study aimed to bridge this gap by constructing and empirically validating a comprehensive framework for sustainable international TVET ecosystems that transcends the conventional mobility-focused approach. A quantitative methodology was employed. A structured online survey, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale, was administered to administrators, faculty, and industry partners actively engaged in international TVET collaborations across Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Data from 152 respondents were analyzed using statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and reliability testing. The analysis confirmed a robust framework built upon four foundational pillars: (1) strategic alignment and shared vision, (2) multi-stakeholder engagement, (3) curricular and institutional embeddedness, and (4) reciprocal innovation and capacity building. The findings advocate for a fundamental paradigm shift from a mobility-centric model to an integrated ecosystem approach. This transition is imperative for fostering sustainable, impactful, and equitable internationalization within TVET, thereby significantly enhancing educational quality and global institutional relevance.