London, January 10, 2024 – The Association of British Chinese Professors (ABCP) has officially launched its Transnational Education (TNE) Specialty Committee, marking a significant contribution to UK-China academic collaboration.
The launch event was opened by Professor Hongbiao Dong, President of ABCP, who provided an overview of the Association and its specialty committees, which are led by prominent professors with Chinese heritage at British universities.
“The establishment of the TNE Specialty Committee is an important step in supporting academics working across the UK and China,” said Professor Daguo Li, Co-Chair of the new Committee.

Strengthening UK-China Collaboration

ABCP is an independent, non-profit organisation representing professors and academics with Chinese heritage based in UK universities; it currently has over 600 members. It is dedicated to fostering partnerships in education, research, innovation, and culture between the UK and China.

The newly formed TNE Specialty Committee aims to:

  • Provide a collaborative platform for academics engaged in Transnational Education (TNE).
  • Promote networking and knowledge sharing to enhance the quality, innovation, and sustainability of UK-China academic partnerships.
  • Serve as a forum for discussion on best practices, innovative teaching, and cross-border collaboration.

UK-China TNE Growth and Opportunities

Speaking at the event, Leina Shi, Director of Education at the British Council China, highlighted the rapid growth of UK-China TNE. She noted that China is the largest host country for UK TNE, representing 14% of global UK TNE enrolments. According to the British Council, based on data from Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), more than 81,000 Chinese students were studying for UK higher education qualifications in China in 2022/23.

Jianjiang Kuang, Counsellor (Educational), Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in London, outlined key opportunities in China’s education sector, emphasising:

  • Strong demand for STEM disciplines at the postgraduate (PG) and PhD levels.
  • Growth potential in key economic regions, including the Greater Bay Area, Yangtze River Delta, and Hainan Free Trade Port.

The slides of the talk by Leina Shi can be found here.

Calls for Further Research and Sustainable Growth

Professor Susan Welburn (University of Edinburgh), Convenor of the UK-China Joint Institutes Alliance (JIA), stressed the need for further academic research in TNE to strengthen and support existing educational partnerships.

During a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Xin Xu (University of Oxford), leading academics and practitioners discussed the challenges and best practices in TNE. Professor Vangelis Tsiligiris (Nottingham Trent University), Founder and Co-Convenor of TNE-Hub, emphasised the importance of aligning TNE initiatives with their intended mission, asking, “Why do we promote TNE, and how do we ensure its impact?”

Professor Zhimin Li, Vice-Chair of Talent Development Committee of Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy, reviewed and critically discussed the key developments in Chinese higher education that influence TNE.

Dr. Jingran Yu (Xiamen University) discussed trends in China TNE in the context of increasing global geopolitical tensions and raised critical questions about ethical considerations in TNE, while Dr. Yajun Zeng, Director of International Cooperation and Exchange in Hainan, shared successful TNE models and future opportunities.

A second panel, chaired by Dr. Cheryl Yu, featured Sophie Lu (Lancaster University) and Dr. Changqing Zheng (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, who shared successful stories of a UK-China joint education institute and a joint education programme.

The Future of UK-China TNE

TNE has gained strong recognition among Chinese students, parents, and educators. However, experts at the event highlighted the need for TNE to:

  • Align with strategic priorities of both countries to remain relevant.
  • Adapt to local contexts while maintaining international academic standards.

The UK-China TNE sector has seen rapid expansion over the past two decades. The formation of the ABCP TNE Specialty Committee, building on many ABCP members’ leadership and participation in UK-China TNE, is expected to significantly facilitate the next phase of growth and innovation.

Leadership Team of the TNE Specialty Committee

Co-Chairs

Committee Members