4 December 2025 marked an inspiring start to the inaugural CONNECT: UK–China Transnational Education Symposium, bringing together over 70 colleagues from the UK and China to discuss the realities, challenges, and future opportunities of transnational education through a practitioner-centred lens.
Day 1 showcased a powerful blend of strategic insight, grounded professional practice, and open dialogue across borders. The symposium opened with warm remarks from Dr Mark Edwards (TNE Institute), who set the tone for a gathering rooted in collaboration, reflective exchange, and strengthening UK–China TNE through shared experience.
🎙 Keynote Address: The Future of UK–China TNE
Professor Tao Chen, Associate Vice-President (International) at the University of Surrey, delivered an insightful keynote titled: “The Future of UK–China TNE: Why It Matters and How We Can Grow It Through Intercultural Intelligence.”
Professor Chen highlighted:
- Why TNE between the UK and China continues to matter, and the evolving motivations of both sides
- That strong TNE requires a truly collaborative partnership model—“some TNE partnerships last longer than a marriage,” he noted
- TNE as a bridge for mutual understanding, extending beyond mobility into cultural appreciation and global peace
- The importance of intercultural intelligence for sustainable partnerships
- A need for more agile, collaborative, and innovative models of UK–China engagement
Presentations
1. Curriculum Co-Design Across Borders: Managing Alignment and Autonomy
Dr Wasim Ahmad (University of Glasgow) and Dr Cheryl Yu (TNE Institute) presented a rich case study of the Glasgow–UESTC model, grounded in the deeper philosophical and educational differences between the UK and China. They illustrated:
- Differences—but also shared values—of both educational systems
- A Sino–UK co-designed curriculum satisfying two national regulatory frameworks
- Three mirrored pathways across EEE disciplines
- A guiding curriculum philosophy centred on: alignment in outcomes, diversity in pedagogy, and
complementarity in strengths
Their session demonstrated how careful curriculum architecture can produce genuinely hybrid graduates who thrive across both contexts.
2. The future quality in TNE
by Dr Fabrizio Trifirò (Education World Forum, THE) unpacked the global challenges and enhancement of TNE quality assurance:
Growing diversity of TNE model: Persistent gaps and overlaps across QA systems; Different national interpretations of “quality"; The need for trust, transparency, and shared expectations
He emphasised shifting from basic compliance toward continuous enhancement, especially within increasingly complex cross-border ecosystems.
Panel Discussion: Navigating the UK-China dual educational system
Chaired by Rebecca Wakelin (XJTLU), the panel brought together practitioners with deep cross-border experience:
- Professor Daguo Li, NUIST–Reading Academy
- Dr Maged Refat Fakirah, CDUT–Oxford Brookes College
- Dr Sami Ahmed Haider, Heriot-Watt University
Key themes explored included:
- Bridging Philosophies: a strong TNE partnership does not merge systems—it synthesises strengths. The greatest pitfall, panelists agreed, is attempting to impose one educational culture onto the other.
- Student Experience Beyond the Classroom: students frequently navigate challenges around identity, academic expectations, language, and cultural norms.
- Quality and Compliance Across Two Systems: while QAA/OfS frameworks and MoE requirements can diverge, strong alignment is possible through:
- The Future of TNE.
🧩 Practice Sharing Sessions: A Platform for Dialogue and Exchange
In the spirit of CONNECT, the practice-sharing sessions were designed to create a true platform for dialogue, enabling colleagues to exchange ideas, share challenges, and present practical approaches emerging from UK and China campuses.
Each thematic breakout room was facilitated by sector experts:
• Using AI for Teaching, Assessment, Feedback & Learning Analytics, chaired by Dr Neil McMillan (Glasgow)
• Quality Assurance & Student Engagement in TNE, chaired by Yanan Wang (XJTLU)
• Leadership Pathways in TNE: Academic and Professional Development, chaired by Dr Lindsay Jones (QMUL)
• Navigating Dual Systems of UK and China Education, chaired by Alex Boyle (Oxford Brookes College)
These sessions embodied the symposium’s mission: to elevate practitioner voices, foster peer learning, and strengthen a cross-border professional community where expertise is shared—not siloed.
We had some of these fundamental questions and debates raised by colleagues on 'what is the essence of quality assurance that we use widely as a sector' and 'why QA from one country to another'. At the same time, colleagues also discussed the sense of belonging for staff working on TNE, working for both employers, but sometimes feel neither; the same for students. 'We need to support staff who support TNE . '
🔚 Closing Reflections
The day concluded with remarks from Dr Mark Edwards, celebrating: the openness and generosity of dialogue; the depth of insights shared; the strength of the UK–China practitioner network; a shared commitment to shaping the next era of TNE through collaboration and mutual respect
Day 1 demonstrated the power of community, co-creation, and practitioner-led insight in shaping the future of UK–China TNE.
From visionary keynotes to grounded practice, one message stood out:
TNE thrives when we create spaces for dialogue, listen deeply to each other, and build together across borders.
We look forward to another day of rich discussion and sector-wide collaboration in Day 2.