Using structural equation model (SEM) to analyse global student mobility programs in higher education in India

India, often regarded as the crown jewel in the global strategy for higher education institutions, envisions adopting best transnational education (TNE) practices and robust frameworks to become a hub of quality education characterized by brain circulation rather than brain drain. The shifting landscape brought about by the National Education Policy (NEP) has raised questions and concerns, prompting the higher education sector to reconsider its plans to include international student mobility programs. A nation once proud of its self-sufficiency through premier institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology and Management is now re-evaluating how international student mobility can be driven by effective and tangible outcomes across all parameters of excellence. This study explores strategies and concerns for short-term international student mobility within the context of the internationalization of higher education in India. It employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the impact of institutional interventions on push, pull, and fulfillment factors. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to Indian students who participated in a five-week study abroad program in London, customized by their higher education institution. The findings emphasize the importance of having structured institutional policies that support internationalization both domestically and internationally. These insights are crucial for Indian higher education institutions seeking to implement effective strategies for global positioning and outreach.