Internationalising Higher Education

Education has the unique potential to break down barriers in society. It has the power to talk at a level above and outside the political and the partisan. However, many sectors of the community do not have clear channels of entry into education systems, and sometimes entire sections of society are excluded from participating. Individuals who want to access education should have the opportunity to study at a higher level than previous experience may dictate. Although 'inclusion' does not mean that there should be any lowering of academic standards, are we looking for a shift of emphasis in the way that we work with our students? What is the role and responsibility of education in addressing the inclusion agenda? Should this be applied to all education providers or is this agenda the luxury of a few?