Transnational Education (TNE) has traditionally been characterized by partnerships such as branch campuses, joint degree programs, and franchise arrangements, predominantly conceptualized through frameworks like Jane Knight’s classification. However, these models are increasingly insufficient to capture the dynamic and changing landscape of TNE. This paper investigates emerging new forms of TNE partnerships through a multi-sited case study approach, drawing on recent empirical research across diverse geopolitical contexts. It identifies a paradigm shift in partnership models influenced by novel funding mechanisms, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and administrative processes, and the growing impact of geopolitical tensions on academic collaboration. The study reveals that TNE is no longer solely defined by physical mobility or static institutional agreements but is increasingly shaped by digital, strategic, and hybrid modalities. New forms of mobility and partnerships challenge existing conceptual frameworks and demand more adaptive identifications. Findings highlight the opportunities and risks associated with these developments and challenges, as well as its implication on Sino-Foreign transnational education partnerships. This paper argues for a re-conceptualization of TNE to account for these complexities and calls for a nuanced understanding of how power, technology, and politics co-produce the evolving landscape of global higher education partnerships.

Authors:
Qianhan Xia, Durham University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Qianhan Xia is a final-year PhD candidate in the School of Education at Durham University, and founder and CEO of Qianyu Star International Education Company.

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