by: Mine Racho
In our most recent webinar, DVE Solution’s Engagement Manager, Carly Boon was joined by speakers Emeritus Professor Robert Elliott, Emeritus Professor Jane Summers and Professor Meredith Lawley to discuss insights for effectively manage and navigate the complexities of Third-Party and Transnational arrangements in higher education, best practices for establishing and maintaining successful partnerships, as well as mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with international standards.
In the webinar, the speakers provided an overview of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) and discussed the distinction between third-party arrangements (TPAs) and transnational education arrangements (TNEs). TPAs involve institutions engaging others to deliver their programs, while TNEs see Australian providers delivering education overseas. Adhering to the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) and referring to TEQSA guidance notes were emphasized for TPAs. It was made clear that students in TPAs remain the responsibility of the primary provider, with a strong focus on academic governance and policy alignment.
Some of the best practices for establishing and maintaining successful partnerships in third-party agreements (TPAs) and transnational education arrangements (TNEs) were discussed by the speakers:
- Effective Communication and Role Champions: Successful partnerships rely on clear communication within and between organisations. Each institution should designate a champion to facilitate collaboration and coordination at all levels.
- Detailed Operational Procedures: Well-documented operational procedures are crucial to avoid conflicts. Specific policies and procedures should outline the frequency and nature of reviews, ensuring a shared understanding of partnership success.
- Due Diligence and Financial Evaluation: Institutions should conduct thorough due diligence when selecting partners. Financial considerations, including cost analysis and revenue distribution, are essential to ensure a profitable collaboration. Economic goals should never compromise academic governance.
The discussion also covered maintaining relationships with stakeholders in educational partnerships. Face-to-face interactions were encouraged to prevent misinterpretations. The importance of understanding contextual differences in partner countries and establishing clear communication channels was stressed. Allocating resources, including dedicated administrators, was discussed as a means of supporting partnerships effectively. Furthermore, a need for well-defined exit strategies, oversight mechanisms, and interventions in case of issues were underscored to mitigate risks and ensure productive collaborations.
If you need further advice, feel free to reach out to us and one of our Governance & Compliance experts will be more than happy to have a word with you.
