The international webinar, themed ‘Enhancing Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Global Perspectives and Practices in Transnational Education (TNE),’ was officiated by the Director-General of Higher Education, Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman.

The welcoming address was delivered by the Director of CTEF, Associate Professor Dr. Thien Lei Mee, while the closing remarks was presented by the Undersecretary of the International Relations Division (IRD), Ministry of Higher Education, Datin Noorazah Omar. 

The webinar proceedings were steered by Dr. Jamshed Khalid, Senior Lecturer at the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN).

Among the invited speakers was Professor Christopher Ziguras, Director and Professor at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne, Australia, who highlighted that transnational education (TNE) has evolved from 1980s distance learning into today’s expanding international branch campuses.

He observed that the tightening of visa regulations and enrollment caps has heightened the role of transnational education (TNE) as a vital pathway in global higher education.

He also emphasised that globalised professional practice requires stronger international recognition and accreditation, supported by the steady growth of Mutual Recognition Agreements since the 1990s.

He concluded that universities and regulators engaging in international collaboration will help shape global standards and ensure graduates remain globally competitive.

Professor Ganesan Kannabiran, Professor (HAG) and Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), said Indian higher education is rapidly transforming under the National Education Policy 2020, shifting towards flexible, student-centred learning focused on lifelong skills and industry collaboration.

He added that quality assurance is improving through maturity-based grading and capacity building in areas such as artificial intelligence, while transnational education initiatives like dual degrees, joint accreditation, and overseas campuses are helping to build a more global and future-ready academic system.

Meanwhile, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Morshidi Sirat, Consultant and Founding Director of CTEF and Adjunct Professor at Sunway University, said that transnational education (TNE) is entering a new phase of development.

He observed a shift away from traditional models of exporting and franchising degrees towards more empowering and collaborative approaches.

Morshidi stressed the importance of building resilient local ecosystems in Malaysia and across the Global South through stronger industry linkages, digital innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

He suggested that countries in the Global South seeking to attract TNE initiatives from the Global North should examine Times Higher Education’s “TNE 3.0” and the British Council’s Sustainability Framework.

“These frameworks emphasise the importance of blending global standards with local knowledge, while ensuring that financial sustainability is carefully balanced against the quality of academic programmes.

He added that the future of higher education will be shaped by reciprocity, agility, and shared innovation rather than replication of external models which are not embedded in the national and local ecosystems.

This international webinar aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen global higher education and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

Insights and outcomes from the webinar will serve as the basis for policy recommendations to be developed by CTEF, which are slated for presentation at the forthcoming Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers (CCEM).

It is hoped that this CTEF webinar will provide valuable insights to strengthen cooperation and advance the development of higher education systems across Commonwealth countries.

Text: Dr. Nur Rafidah Asyikin Idris, Commonwealth Tertiary Education Facility (CTEF), USM/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Sri Jeyanthirar Subramaniam, CTEF, USM