Chapter 7: The Reformation and Internationalization of Higher Education

The welfare of nations is intrinsically linked to the education of their citizens. Consequently, modern societies aim to cultivate ideal citizens by universalizing access to education to improve living conditions. This study investigates the Reformation as a critical turning point that established the foundations of modern education. By challenging the church’s monopoly, the Reformation transformed education into a more secular structure, extending access from the nobility to the lower classes. Adopting a Lutheran perspective, the study analyses how this movement increased schooling rates and contributed to social peace. Furthermore, it explores the Reformation's role in fostering early forms of internationalization through the cross-border exchange of knowledge. The study concludes that the intellectual legacy of the Reformation was a historical force that paved the way for the internationalization of higher education, supporting today's global academic environment of cultural pluralism and critical debate.