Australia has witnessed many companies attempt offshore expansion since the twin forces of globalisation and a relatively mature local market tempted CEOs in the late 90s. Investing in new markets may constitute an acceptable business risk with company capital, but what complications are introduced when a ‘public’ university, with a governing act prescribing its educational mission to a regional and national population, aspires to an international presence, not merely international status?

This paper explores the challenges faced by administrators, academic staff, and students. It further considers the implications for curriculum crossing ‘borders’, professional development for staff, and for educational theories. Monash University provides the ‘case’, specifically an investigation of how the Faculty of Information Technology implemented the University’s ‘global strategy’ at its domestic, Malaysian and South African campuses over 1998-2005.

Keywords: globalisation of education, internationalisation of the curriculum, academic staff development