New TNE resource focuses on diligence and risk

A new resource, exclusive to participants in QAA's Quality Evaluation and Enhancement of UK Transnational Education – better known as QE-TNE – scheme, offers insights into approaches to due diligence and risk assessment.

Originally commissioned by Universities UK and GuildHE, the QE-TNE scheme has been designed to give participating institutions insights into the challenges facing transnational provision and the best-practice approaches developed by providers, in order to promote the quality, reputation and sustainability of UK TNE worldwide. More than 70 providers across the UK higher education sector now participate in the scheme.

Our new report has been based on learning gained from work conducted over the first four years of the scheme, complemented by in-depth discussions with providers.

The report observes that "due diligence, risk assessment and risk management, both at the initial stage and on an ongoing basis, are critical processes in ensuring the long-term success, quality, compliance, and reputation of institutions".

It goes on to look at the role of effective governance practices in the central coordination of due diligence and risk assessment and in collaborative, cross-university governance structures. 

It also explores the interdependent relationships between university strategy, due diligence and risk assessment, and the value of risk-based, proportionate and phased approaches – and charts key areas of risk in such activities.

It presents examples from participating institutions of how risk assessment can impact partnership design and portfolio expansion, and of how to manage emerging risks caused by external factors, as well as considering the issues arising from the closure of programmes and of partnerships.

The full report is available to QE-TNE participants in the Membership Resources area of our website.