TNE 3.0 is a radical new phase in transnational education (TNE) that global data company Times Higher Education has identified as key to the future of global higher education in a new report released at a launch event at the University of Birmingham Dubai today.
The report ‘How transnational education can support sustainability and national economic development’ provides a groundbreaking framework for articulating, executing and measuring TNE 3.0.
TNE 3.0 is about overseas universities’ impact on the economic, social, and sustainable development of host countries driven by their national strategies. It focuses on how foreign universities can bring their expertise in producing high quality research, developing industry partnerships and creating entrepreneurial environments to their host nation.
TNE can be defined as education delivered in a country other than the country in which the awarding institution is based (Universities UK). TNE 2.0 is where TNE providers differentiate their offering in response to growing competition including the use of technology. (Vangelis Tsiligiris, 2016).
THE has put TNE 3.0 into a framework comprised of six key pillars that frames foreign universities’, or host governments, strategic and operational rationale, which are:
- Strategy – driven by alignment in national economic development agendas and higher education strategies.
- Innovation – support local innovation and entrepreneurship interconnected with business and industry.
- Infrastructure – embedded into a local infrastructure of development, showcasing stand-out facilities and technologies for local stakeholders.
- Integration – embedded into the local economy whilst providing a bridge into the international economy.
- Excellence – prioritises excellence in teaching, research and innovation and create a pipeline of talent.
- Sustainability – assert sustainability as a core ambition across partners and stakeholders.
TNE 3.0 places the development of workforce skills, sustainability, and prosperity at its core. The TNE 3.0 model means foreign universities’ activities are driven by alignment to national economic development agendas and higher education strategies.
Dr Ishan Cader, THE’s Director of Consultancy, said: “Times Higher Education is a leader in transnational education, supporting universities and government authorities in research, strategy and policy. We could see how transnational education has evolved and discovered a radical change in TNE taking place – one in which foreign universities are at the centre of a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, research and entrepreneurship, empowering local growth and stimulating international commerce and industry.
“Using THE’s unparalleled global data, insights and expertise we have created a framework to measure TNE’s development and success in the future, which will be an invaluable tool to both foreign universities and host countries.”
The report launch event is hosted by University of Birmingham Dubai and starts at 8.30am until 12.30pm (Dubai time) today (Thursday 12 September). The seminar brings together leading researchers, institutional leaders, industry experts, and policy makers to explore how TNE can better support national economic development objectives. The TNE 3.0 report is being launched at 9.15am Dubai time.
The report includes six case studies of transnational education highlighting innovation in Malaysia, excellence in Malaysia, Singapore and Qatar, infrastructure by Virginia Tech in Senegal, integration by Pearson and sustainability in a partnership with Siemens and the University of Birmingham.
An example of strategy is India’s National Education Policy (2020) which proposed sweeping reforms for the sector including greater Internationalisation. The Indian government’s reforms facilitated foreign universities delivering education in India, in partnership with local universities or as foreign branch campuses. Two Australian universities have set up campuses in India, and high profile innovative joint programmes have been developed, including the partnership between IIT Madras and University of Birmingham. In August 2024, the University of Southampton became the first UK university to announce a branch campus in India.
Find out more and download the report here.