Category: Transnational education

  • Coventry given green light to open campus in GIFT City

    Coventry given green light to open campus in GIFT City

    The institution revealed its ambition to open the campus in December, when it launched an Indian hub in New Delhi to support the institute’s admissions, recruitment, and partnerships in the region.

    Approval for the £1 billion expenditure on the campus was announced at the London Stock Exchange on April 9 at the 13th UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD).

    GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is a business district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

    “We are delighted that approval has been given to commence the set-up process for Coventry University GIFT City and know that many students will benefit from the high-quality education we can offer over the years to come,” said John Latham CBE, vice-chancellor of Coventry University and Group.

    Competition among international universities has risen significantly in the region, with more UK universities keen on expanding into GIFT City. In January, The University of Surrey unveiled plans to open a campus in the city, as did Queen’s University Belfast.

    We… know that many students will benefit from the high-quality education we can offer over the years to come
    John Latham, Coventry University

    Coventry’s new India campus is offering postgraduate programs such as international business management and business and finance. The university plans to add further courses in the near future.

    Alison Barrett, director of India at the British Council said: “It emphasises our shared commitment to the internationalisation of education, as highlighted in the National Education Policy 2020. Thousands of students will benefit from the high-quality education that the university can offer in the years to come.”

    The campus building is set open its doors this month.

    Source link

  • Greek TNE applications surge under new law

    Greek TNE applications surge under new law

    The applications from 11 British, one French and one Cypriot institution were submitted to the Greek Ministry of Education on March 31, after regulatory reform allowing international universities to establish fully accredited branch campuses in Greece.  

    Greek education minister Sophia Zacharaki welcomed the “historic reform”, which aims to meet the growing demand from Greek students for internationally recognised and accredited university degrees.  

    “[The reform] provides new choices to Greek college students, establishes Greece as an educational destination for thousands of foreign students,” said Zacharaki.

    She added that the reform would provide the opportunity for Greek scientists working abroad to return to Greece, transforming the country into “a hub of knowledge and innovation for the greater region of southeastern Europe”.  

    As well as attracting international students, the legislation aims to meet the “ever-increasing domestic demand” for higher education, halt the emigration of Greek young people and encourage the return of Greek academics and scientists.

    In 2024, more than 40,000 Greeks studied abroad, according to the government.

    And yet, the bill was met with fierce opposition during its parliamentary debate, sparking weeks of protests from domestic students and faculty who argued the legislation would undermine Greek state universities and devalue domestic degrees.  

    It’s advocates, however, maintain that healthy competition will uplift Greece’s higher education system, attract international investment and create new jobs.  

    “The government wants to modernise the Greek higher education landscape and create two systems, one state and one non-state that will interact creatively with each other,” said Study in Greece director, Theodoros Papaioannou, when the bill was passed.  

    Pending government approval, the majority of applicants plan to launch branch campus operations in October 2025, with nine institutions already partnered with Greek private colleges that operate as affiliates of European institutions.  

    For instance, York University’s existing partner, CITY College in Thessaloniki, will transition into the University of York Europe Campus, CITY U.L.E, operating as a non-state, non-for-profit university.

    Among the other UK applicants are the University of East London, the University of Greater Manchester, the University of Derby, London Metropolitan University, the University of West London and the University of Essex.

    [The branch campus] promises to elevate the educational landscape in Greece and offer students even more pathways for success

    Constantine Arcoumanis, Metropolitan College, Greece

    UEL’s institutional partner, Metropolitan College, Greece (MC), welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the benefit of Greek students obtaining accredited degrees from leading European universities.  

    “[The branch campus] promises to elevate the educational landscape in Greece and offer students even more pathways for success,” said MC academic board chairman Constantine Arcoumanis, adding he was “excited” about the proposals.  

    To ensure accessibility for domestic students, UEL said that many of its programs would be delivered in Greek, and that students would have access to UEL’s careers services and soft skills support, as well as study abroad, cultural exchange and learning resources.  

    The University of York’s campus, with locations in Thessaloniki and Athens, plans to establish a “leading hub for computer science studies”, initially offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across the schools of business studies, sciences, and law and humanities.  

    In a video message, York’s vice-chancellor welcomed the Greek government’s decision and said that his branch campus aimed to “contribute to the advancement of higher education and to establish Greece as an international education hub”.

    Last month, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spotlighted York University’s interest in expanding operations to Greece: “Ranked 146th globally in 2025, York has been recognised for its excellence in research and teaching by official British institutions,” he told Greek media.

    Since Mitsotakis came to power in 2019, Greece has pursued the internationalisation of higher education, with the Prime Minister highlighting the need to combat Greece’s “brain drain”.

    In July 2022, the government changed the constitution to allow universities to offer bachelor programs taught in English.

    Source link

  • Adapting TNE to student needs key, say stakeholders

    Adapting TNE to student needs key, say stakeholders

    The PIE News, in partnership with Oxford International Education Group (OIEG) and Studyportals, hosted a briefing where panelists explored university strategies, government collaboration, and financial sustainability for a successful TNE model.

    As international universities compete to establish TNE partnerships in India, the University of Southampton stands out, with its Delhi branch campus set to open in August 2025.

    Kasia Cakala, director of education pathways development at OIEG, which is collaborating with Southampton on the project, noted how education providers must continuously adapt to evolving expectations of the TNE model.

    “Not only do universities have to be mindful of the models they take in this very challenging market, but private providers like us also need to pivot, change, and adapt to support universities in their urgent needs,” stated Cakala at the briefing.

    “With Southampton, the key was defining a proposition that was not only sustainable but also aligned with government priorities and the domestic student ecosystem.”

    Cakala emphasised that as students from countries like India become more savvy, knowing what they need and expecting more from institutions, universities must adopt a “sophisticated market research strategy” to define their proposition, particularly when presenting expansion plans to government bodies.

    Private providers like us need to pivot, change, and adapt to support universities in their urgent needs
    Kasia Cakala, OIEG

    In light of the changing expectations, Carlie Sage, associate director, partnerships, APAC, Studyportals, underscored the importance of understanding student behaviour and market trends in shaping international education strategies.

    “A lot of universities still make decisions without really understanding the environment they’re operating in,” stated Sage. 

     “There’s amazing data out there that can help institutions navigate shifts, understand demand, identify gaps, and see what’s happening in real time.”

    According to Aziz Boussofiane, director, Cormack Consultancy Group, while TNE models need to be financially sustainable, they also need to be beneficial for both the university and the host country in the long run. 

    “For host countries, success (in TNE) means increasing capacity with quality provision – and for universities, it must align with their mission and strategic objectives,” stated Boussofiane, while addressing the audience. 

    “There are different drivers and processes depending on the market, whether it’s India or Nigeria, [and] it’s often about increasing in-country capacity and improving the quality of local providers.”

    While TNE is widely embraced by leading universities in major study destinations, challenges persist in building scalable models due to varying international perceptions of quality and value, which impact recognition, as previously reported by The PIE. 

    According to Daniel Cragg, director of Nous, while TNE is just another challenge for institutions, which are already dealing with academic workforce stress, new pressures from AI, and evolving student needs, the appetite for partnerships has only been rising. 

    “The appetite for collaboration is growing – universities want to share risk, balance success, and be more in-market experts,” said Cragg.

    “In international education, it feels like there’s a black swan event every three to four years. But universities constantly adapt, innovate, and thrive.”

    While universities in the UK and Australia have pushed through major TNE expansions in recent years, institutions in countries like New Zealand, though interested, prioritise strengthening their reputation and research over physical expansion.

    “New Zealand is a small player in TNE, but our partnerships focus on reputation and research rather than bricks-and-mortar expansion overseas,” stated Meredith Smart, international director, Auckland University of Technology. 

    “There’s a strong connection between our ranking strategy and our partnership strategy – reputation matters.”

    As the New Zealand government aims to boost international recruitment from emerging markets while strengthening educational partnerships in countries like India and Vietnam, institutions like AUT see an opportunity, while also learning from the missteps of their peers.

    “We are in a strong growth focus. The government wants us to grow. They’re desperate to win the next election, and I think they feel that international education can boost the economy,” stated Smart. 

    “New Zealanders love international students, but that could change as numbers rise. We must actively demonstrate the value of internationalisation to our economy, industries, and diplomatic relations.”

    This point was further reiterated by Cragg, who highlighted how working with governments in policymaking is essential. 

    “Working with governments to shape future visa policies is essential to ensuring sustainable international student growth,” he said. 

    “The value of international education extends across different areas of government, not just within universities.”

    Source link

  • Education providers pivot to TNE in price-sensitive Pakistan

    Education providers pivot to TNE in price-sensitive Pakistan

    Speaking at The PIE Live Europe 2025, Stuart Smith, CEO of pathway provider NCUK, said Pakistan’s position as a growing yet price-sensitive market opens exciting opportunities for students to earn their qualifications before transitioning to a high-quality university in the UK or elsewhere. 

    “Financially, one of the biggest barriers for Pakistani students has been the cost of studying abroad. The pathway model helps address this by offering significant cost savings, allowing students to progress to high-quality universities,” Smith told delegates at the London conference.

    “One of the big advantages of our model is that students can come in on an NCUK qualification, spend one or two years at home making really important cost savings, and academically prepare for studying abroad, all in a comfortable environment.”

    According to Smith, the rise in interest in international qualifications among Pakistani students also means easier visa approvals for them. 

    Visa refusals and delays have forced many Pakistani students to miss their January intake at UK universities, with some even withdrawing their applications, as reported by The PIE News last year. 

    “For students studying in-country pathway programs, we’ve seen fewer visa refusals because they are better prepared for the visa process and qualify better for visa interviews,” Smith added. 

    Last year, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission revised its TNE policy to provide greater clarity on requirements, operational models, and introduce guidelines for establishing offshore campuses of Pakistani higher education institutions. 

    The update also emphasised quality assurance and regulatory assessments. 

    “Instead of targeting a small number of students at a high price point, a more sustainable approach is to offer programs at a lower price to a larger student base,” stated Smith. 

    “That being said, there is a market for institutions at all price points. The key is to find the right strategy that balances accessibility with quality.”

    The HEC has previously cautioned students and parents in Pakistan about some of the violations made by Pakistani institutions in their TNE programmes. 

    Moreover, the HEC warned recognised domestic HEIs offering foreign qualifications in Pakistan to comply with the government’s TNE policy, stating that any violations would result in non-recognition of the student’s degree.

    According to Vanessa Potter, director of communications and external relations at the University of Essex, while enrolling large numbers of Pakistani students in TNE programmes remains challenging, the university has shifted its focus. It now puts more into collaborating with its Pakistani alumni, supporting research at local universities, and assisting academic staff in the country.

    “One area we’ve significantly expanded is PhD support for academic staff. We offer our partners substantial discounts on PhD programs, as we believe in supporting both the academy and our institutional collaborators,” stated Potter. 

    “Many universities we work with have one or two staff members engaged in these programs, either full-time or part-time under co-supervision arrangements with Pakistani universities.”

    Just last year, the University of Essex partnered with Beaconhouse International College to offer a variety of business, law, and technology courses to students in major Pakistani cities, including Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Lahore.

    Over the years, Pakistan’s investment in research and development has remained notably low, with expenditure dropping from 0.17% of GDP in 2019 to 0.16% in 2021. 

    This limited funding presents challenges for Pakistani universities in securing high global research rankings, keeping the country’s R & D investment well below international standards.

    Such challenges provide an opportunity for research collaboration for institutions like the University of Essex. 

    “There are pockets of excellent research in Pakistan, though they don’t always reflect in global rankings,” stated Potter. 

    “There is funding available – academic exchanges have already been supported, and the British Council in Pakistan has provided funding for specific initiatives. We are also working with them on scholarships in collaboration, while also receiving support from the British High Commission in Pakistan.”

    According to Potter, the university is also working with the HEC to support laboratory staff in universities.

    “It’s a specialised project, and while we are still looking to pay for it, we are committed to enhancing the development of lab staff in science departments in Pakistani universities.” 

    In recent years, Pakistan has emerged as a major TNE market, especially for the UK. 

    According to the revised TNE policy, HEIs with a strong reputation and ranked within the top 700 in the QS or THE world university rankings, or those classified as Fachhochschule, will be eligible to offer their degree programs in Pakistan.

    Some institutions make the mistake of treating local Pakistani-origin agents differently from international aggregators. This is a clear discrimination
    Atif Khan, University of Hertfordshire

    With the launch of its new initiative, ‘Udaan Pakistan,’ aimed at revitalising the country’s economy, Atif Khan, country director at the University of Hertfordshire, believes that Pakistan has a strategic vision for economic growth over the next five to 10 years. 

    This, in turn, could drive a rising demand for international qualifications among students, he said. 

    “Any universities keen to come to Pakistan – this is the time. Demand will not finish, it will grow,” stated Khan. 

    “Currently, Pakistan has 55 recognised TNE programs, with over 15,000 students engaged. Of these, around 12,000 are involved in UK-affiliated programs, meaning nearly 80% of TNE students in Pakistan are already planning to transition to the UK for their postgraduate studies.”

    On the recruitment front, Khan anticipates a rise in study visas from Pakistan to major international study destinations, noting that the UK issued 35,000 student visas by 2024, an increase of 13% from the previous year.

    But he highlighted how some of the practices adopted by UK universities in the country are discriminatory in nature and need to be fixed.

    “When it comes to selecting recruitment agents, universities need a sustained strategy. They must work with the right agents, ensuring strong compliance and regular training sessions. The market is evolving rapidly,” stated Khan. 

    “Some institutions make the mistake of treating local Pakistani-origin agents differently from international aggregators. This is a clear discrimination. If universities continue down this path, they risk attracting lower-quality students.”

    Furthermore, Potter emphasised that while Pakistan’s economic challenges may prevent an exponential rise in student numbers, universities that offer strong career support and employability prospects could continue to attract Pakistani students.

    “I think being able to articulate clearly how you can support students with jobs, and how having a degree from a particular type of university subject might help that career long term, does help students understand the welcoming environment,” she said.

    Source link

  • UK-Egypt mission sparks new era of higher education partnerships

    UK-Egypt mission sparks new era of higher education partnerships

    From 16-18 February 2025, a high-level delegation from the UK visited Egyptian universities: Ain Shams University, and European Universities in Egypt (EUE); with a planned visit to New Cairo Technological University, to explore possible collaborations between the two countries.

    “Over the course of three enriching days, the education team in Egypt led a higher education mission that was launched in the New Administrative Capital, under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education through the Supreme Council of Universities and the Egyptian Bureau for Cultural and Educational Affairs in London in collaboration with the British Council in Egypt, and the support of the British Embassy,” Heba ElZein, director of education at the British Council in Egypt told The PIE.

    The delegation comprised representatives from prestigious UK universities, including Sheffield Hallam University, Loughborough University, the University of Essex, the University of East Anglia, the University of Exeter, and the University of Chester.

    Universities UK International representatives were also in attendance, with Anouf El-Daher, policy officer for Africa and Middle East at UUKi, presenting at the British Embassy in Cairo and British Council Egypt, highlighting the value of international collaboration and the potential for long-term, mutually beneficial, EU-Egypt education relationships.

    “Over three days, we visited higher education institutions across Egypt, gaining valuable insights into the local landscape and exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration. This mission allowed us to engage with key stakeholders, understand the evolving higher education landscape in Egypt, and witness the impact of UK-Egypt partnerships firsthand,” a LinkedIn post from UUKi read.

    Over the course of three enriching days, the education team in Egypt led a higher education mission that was launched in the New Administrative Capital
    Heba ElZein, British Council

    The mission offered numerous networking opportunities, as well as joint meetings for Egyptian universities wishing to cooperate and discuss opportunities with their British counterparts.

    The delegation’s primary focus was to foster academic exchange, establish international university branch campus opportunities, and strengthen research collaborations. One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between UK and Egyptian universities.

    During that high-profile participation, three MoUs were signed between the University of Essex and Ain Shams University, the University of East Anglia and Ain Shams University, and the University of Sheffield Hallam and the British University in Egypt.

    These agreements are expected to facilitate joint programs, faculty exchanges, and shared research initiatives in the coming years.

    Students in Egypt show a strong interest in TNE as the UK-affiliated programs offer tuition fees from £800 to £13,500, depending on the partnership model. And due to economic and currency challenges, Egyptians are increasingly likely to opt to study in Egypt on a TNE model, as well as inbound students to the country, primarily from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria, and Iraq.

    Thus, with a population of around 111 million, and a youthful median age of 24.3, Egypt leads the MENA region in TNE enrolments with 27,865 students in 2022-2023, making it the 5th largest UK TNE host country globally.

    Egypt has emerged as a leading host of UK transnational education students in the MENA region, and the UK remains Egypt’s largest partner in higher education.

    This delegation’s visit is part of a broader initiative to further deepen these ties and provide Egyptian students with greater access to high-quality British education.

    Source link

  • Harrow International announces first Middle Eastern school 

    Harrow International announces first Middle Eastern school 

    The UK’s 450-year-old Harrow boarding school has unveiled plans for its first international school in the Middle East, opening a campus on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.

    “The opening of Harrow International School in the UAE is a testament to the strong educational ties between the UK and the UAE and our shared aspiration for academic excellence,” said Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE.  

    The flagship school will be operated by UAE education provider, Taaleem, which last year acquired the rights to operate Harrow’s international schools across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.  

    The launch of Harrow’s first international school in the region marks Taaleem’s strategic expansion into the “super-premium” education sector, said the organisation’s chairman Khalid Al Tayer. 

    Boarding at Harrow’s UK school costs upwards of £20,000 per term, though tuition fees have not been released for the new Abu Dhabi location.  

    The opening of Harrow International School in the UAE is a testament to the strong educational ties between the UK and the UAE

    Edward Hobart, British Ambassador

    One of the region’s largest K-12 providers with over 30 schools across the UAE, Taaleem will independently own and operate the running of the school.  

    The Abu Dhabi location will initially cater to students from early years to year six, with gradual expansion through the higher years and a total capacity of 1,800 students.  

    “Class sizes will be optimised to ensure personalised attention, with a focus on academic rigour and holistic development,” the school group stated. 

    It is expected to soon announce an additional Harrow school in Dubai, subject to government approval. 

    Harrow school said that the “landmark agreement” would bring Harrow’s “rich heritage and values-driven education to the UAE capital”.  

    “Rooted in tradition yet designed for the future, Harrow Abu Dhabi will offer an exceptional learning environment that nurtures character, leadership, and a global outlook,” it added. 

    Source link

  • Sri Lankan students set their sights on Indian universities

    Sri Lankan students set their sights on Indian universities

    Discussions at the New Delhi event centered on India’s growing appeal as a destination for international students and a key partner for global institutions seeking to enhance their internationalisation strategies.

    “In our recent visit to Sri Lanka, we saw over 3,000 students express interest to study in Indian universities due to them being affordable and providing high-quality education,” shared Pankaj Mittal, secretary general, Association of Indian Universities. 

    “Earlier, students from Sri Lanka were only looking at the US, UK, and Europe but that’s not affordable for them anymore, which is why they are focusing on India.”

    Mittal stated that this phenomenon indicates a future where “India will prosper and become the destination where international students and educators will see potential.”

    According to the Study in India portal, over 72,000 international students studied in India for the academic year 2024/25.

    The rise in international students, especially from South Asia and Africa, has prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs to announce specialised visas dubbed the ‘e-student visa’ and ‘e-student-x visa.’

    Additionally, a ‘G-20 talent visa’ has been announced for scientists, researchers, faculty members, and scholar academicians from G20 countries. 

    Elsewhere, reports suggest that IIT Madras is considering establishing a branch campus in Sri Lanka, joining other IITs in their plans for international expansion.

    While international universities are making headlines concerning their expansion plans in India, Mittal highlighted that Indian universities are equally excited to collaborate with institutions abroad but need to find the right partners. 

    We are now handholding Indian universities to help them find the right partners and guide them on which areas they can collaborate in.
    Pankaj Mittal, AIU

    “After the National Education Policy came into the picture, Indian universities are looking forward to more collaborations with international universities,” said Mittal. 

    “The only issue right now is that we need to help Indian universities, especially public ones, with capacity building. We are now handholding Indian universities to help them find the right partners and guide them on which areas they can collaborate in.”

    Through its initiative ‘The Indian Network for Internationalisation of Higher Education’, which has 1,064 member Indian and international universities, AIU is helping Indian and international institutions advance their internationalisation strategies in India. 

    With a 17,000-strong student population, including over 210 international students, private institutions like UPES are partnering with top institutions across the world but want the benefits to be more ‘reciprocal’. 

    “Since the NEP, there have been a slew of regulations that are coming at a fast pace which are also overwhelming for us as Indian institutions,” said Ram Sharma, vice-chancellor, UPES. 

    “As an Indian institution we are pretty clear that we want the best for our students, which is why we have made it a policy to partner with the world’s top 100 universities, such as King’s College London, Edinburgh University, the University of Queensland, and more.”

    Though joint and dual degrees are becoming major attractions in partnerships between Indian and international institutions, Sharma believes it’s not creating the same excitement among Indian students as expected. 

    “Except for our partnership with the University of Queensland, many of our partnerships have participation of less than ten students,” said Sharma. 

    “So now we are talking about a campus on campus model, wherein we can partner with a well-established existing institution and experiment with other models in light of increasing TNE interest.”

    According to Rohit Kumar, director, international recruitment, partnerships, and mobility, University of York, a ‘culture of innovation’ that can benefit both Indian and international students can only be brought about by cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Indian education sector, international universities, and the Indian government.

    “Dedicated funding streams are needed to strengthen research capabilities between institutions, while international universities entering India must actively engage with industry,” said Kumar. 

    Source link