Tunisia—Delegates from Tunisia recently participated in the UK's Deep Dialogue event on transnational education (TNE), held from 12 to 14 November in Manchester. The event, organised by the British Council, brought together leading stakeholders in higher education from across the globe, facilitating in-depth discussions on the trends, regulations, and challenges shaping TNE

Malek Kochlef Director General of International Cooperation-Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia and Sana Fenina  , Deputy Director at the General Directorate of University Renovation within the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Tunisia joined from Tunisia as part of the delegation engaging in this dialogue.

Tunisia's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research took a significant step to deepen its educational ties with the UK. The Director General of International Cooperation and the Deputy Director of the General Directorate of University’s Renovation represented Tunisia at the Transnational Education (TNE) Deep Dialogue event. Their participation underscored Tunisia’s commitment to fostering collaboration and unlocking more opportunities for university partnerships, with a focus on developing joint academic programmes. This initiative aims to create a dynamic, collaborative environment in higher education, connecting Tunisian and UK institutions to enrich academic experiences for students and universities as well.

Deep Dialogues are focused events that foster meaningful international engagement on important higher education themes. The event in November addressed some of the key questions relating to today’s evolving TNE landscape, such as how global higher education trends influence TNE provision and how regulatory frameworks can support effective, equitable TNE partnerships. Delegates also considered the quality standards within TNE partnerships, examining how these standards differ across regions. Another critical area of focus was the  development of strong data systems to support sustainable TNE through well-informed policy interventions, providing a foundation for scalable and resilient educational models. Together, these conversations shed light on the complexities of TNE and highlighted opportunities for policy-driven improvements that meet both local and global educational needs.

Susana Carmody , Regional Education Director- Middle East and North Africa, highlighted the importance of this year’s dialogue:

The Deep Dialogue has offered an invaluable platform for our delegates from across the region to share their diverse experiences and ideas and learn from their global peers. I hope the connections and insights they have developed here will support them to positively shape the future contribution of TNE within their higher education systems to meet local and global demands.

The event also featured hands-on experiences at UK universities. Over the three days, participants engaged in sessions focused on regulatory practices, the importance of ensuring a high-quality experience for students in TNE programmes, and the impact of public policy in shaping TNE partnerships and provision.