Why transnational education is key for the post-Covid world

There is growing demand for transnational education in the post Covid era, a senior industry expert has said.

The education sector was one of the industries hit hard by the pandemic and was forced to transform its operational model. International enrollment declined significantly due to Covid travel restrictions with universities affected across the globe.

Speaking at an event at Expo 2020, Professor Mohamed Salem, president of University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), stressed that international collaboration was key to support the growth of the education sector and ensure every student’s professional development.

“Through innovative learning models, we are collaborating in ways that wouldn’t have been possible before,” he said, adding: “transnational education will continue to thrive and is here to stay.”

The pandemic led to limited mobility of students, highlighting the need for high-quality transnational education in the Middle East.

“Previously students would have traditionally travelled overseas to study for an international qualification, but they are now pursuing foreign degrees in their home, or in neighbouring countries at local institutions through an array of collaborative arrangements,” he said.

“While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused huge disruptions, it has also been a major facilitator for students around the world to stay abreast of their studies and to continue learning and developing in new and innovative ways.”

Salem said that the adoption of technology during the pandemic helped UOWD adapt its delivery models to offer asynchronous (self-directed) content combined with synchronous face-2-face or distant delivery.

“University of Wollongong in Dubai believes the future post pandemic will bring great opportunities for transnational education that includes sophisticated use of technology for a greater mobility of talented teaching and research academic staff for a greater benefit of students,” he said.

“The combination of the use of technology for blended learning and new trends in micro-credentials will also provide a much wider access to higher education in general and, in particular, for the important segment of our society represented by the people of determination.”