QAA awarded new DBT project funding

QAA has been awarded grant funding to deliver a series of strategic projects commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), under the Government’s new Ricardo Fund. Launched in the Trade Strategy, this fund is named after British economist David Ricardo and aims to remove regulatory barriers and unlock opportunities for UK exporters.

This follows a funding package awarded to QAA by the DBT in 2024 to deliver a set of key international initiatives aimed at addressing regulatory barriers to the growth of UK higher education in priority nations.

The new agreement funds projects in both South and Central Asia. Working closely with the British Council, the first initiative focuses on a cross-cutting project in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It aims to support the development and streamlining of transnational education (TNE) regulations, enhancing the confidence of governments, institutions, students, and the wider public in the quality of TNE provision.

This project will engage regional stakeholders, conduct gap analysis and stakeholder mapping exercises, and deliver technical workshops. Local working groups, including policymakers, regulators and institutional stakeholders, will be established to co-design country-specific frameworks.

The second initiative builds on QAA’s recent research into TNE in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, QAA will analyse successful TNE models and strategies. It will also assess the readiness and capacity of universities to recruit and support international students in Kazakhstan and to develop a structured training programme for university staff in Kazakhstan involved in internationalisation.

At the same time, QAA will work with the relevant bodies in Uzbekistan to support the development of clear TNE regulations and streamlined licensing processes. It will go on to deliver training to relevant government officials and local institutions, to support the implementation of the new framework. QAA will also produce a step-by-step guide for UK higher education institutions seeking to establish TNE partnerships in Uzbekistan.

QAA Chief Executive, Vicki Stott said: ‘The global reach of QAA’s work has given us unique knowledge and expertise in these fields. We are delighted that the DBT has again given us the opportunity to develop key initiatives to support the continuing development and enhancement of UK collaborations in international higher education. We are confident that this approach will underpin, secure and promote the quality, reputation and sustainability of this important area of provision in the long term.’

Trade Minister, Chris Bryant said: 'The British Education system is the best in the world, and our Trade Strategy will ensure British qualifications are recognised everywhere. The funding for QAA, delivered under our new Ricardo Fund, will help remove barriers as part of our Plan for Change and expand British Transnational Education to South and Central Asia.'