Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The British Council has issued a report titled "Examining the Sustainability of Transnational Education in Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates", which explores the long-term viability of transnational education (TNE) partnerships in these countries.
Providing actionable insights for UK universities and their local counterparts, the report focuses on fostering sustainable, mutually beneficial collaborations.
It introduces a framework for sustainability, based on key pillars like financial viability, partnership depth, leadership, and open communication, as well as draws attention to the opportunities and challenges each country faces in TNE development.
Speaking to Aletihad, Amir Ramzan, the British Council's regional director, discussed the UAE's significance as a key global hub for TNE, highlighting its position as a major centre for educational partnerships with the UK.
"The UAE has established itself as a significant centre for UK TNE, hosting nine International Branch Campuses (IBCs). The notable increase in TNE enrolments in the UAE over the last five years in both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees implies greater financial stability, as well as greater capacity for research and advanced education," Ramzan said.
The report highlights that the UAE leads the MENA region in postgraduate TNE enrolment, with 10,380 of the 21,825 students enrolled in UAE-based TNE programmes being postgraduate students.
Ramzan pointed to the need for more robust partnerships that align with local development goals to ensure that both international and local institutions benefit equally from these collaborations.
He also noted that the TNE sustainability framework meets the needs of both UK and UAE higher education institutions.
"The TNE sustainability framework is fundamentally based on the principle of equitable partnerships. Our findings emphasise that for these collaborations to be both enduring and impactful, both entities must align their objectives from the outset. This includes clearly defining the anticipated benefits at various levels-state, institutional, and individual," he said.
The report provides several case studies of successful TNE partnerships in the UAE.
Ramzan cited examples such as the University of Birmingham's branch campus in Dubai offers degrees aligned with local industry needs while maintaining high academic standards.
Besides, Middlesex University's Dubai campus, established in 2005, has grown to become the largest British IBC in the UAE, with 5,600 students enrolled and plans for expansion.
The university's alignment of courses with local economic needs, including programmes in Data Science, Robotics, and Digital Media, has contributed to its success.
Ramzan also shared the British Council's vision for the future of TNE partnerships in the UAE and the broader MENA region.
"We envision TNE evolving to closely align with state development priorities and community needs. This will involve engaging a broader range of sector partners and contributing to the local economy, requiring tailored approaches across different emirates."
The British Council aims to continue facilitating discussions and partnerships between UK and UAE higher education sectors to address shared priorities.
Furthermore, the report discusses the role of cultural and regulatory differences in the success of TNE in the UAE.
"Cultural and regulatory differences are pivotal in shaping the success of TNE partnerships in the UAE. The regulatory environment requires careful navigation, particularly in terms of accreditation, which varies between free zones and federal, and emirate-specific regulatory bodies."
He highlighted the importance of adapting to local cultural contexts and integrating them into educational delivery to ensure academic quality while meeting student expectations.
Ramzan further suggested that institutions could adopt cost-effective delivery models such as digital learning platforms and hybrid teaching approaches.
"Clear contractual agreements that address both financial and academic goals are key to sustainable partnerships," he added.
