The British Council in Sri Lanka concluded a four-day capacity-building workshop series, focused on strengthening quality assurance in transnational education (TNE). Over 100 senior academics, quality specialists, and administrators took part, marking a key step towards ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery of UK-affiliated programs in Sri Lanka.
Led by Dr. Jenny Cann (UK QAA) and Krisztina Ford (International QA Specialist), the sessions equipped TNE providers with frameworks for program design, institutional governance, and quality enhancement aligned to global standards.
The workshops covered the full TNE lifecycle, from building partnerships and curriculum design to assessment, student voice, and governance. The final day tackled emerging challenges, such as digital learning, AI, and the complexity of managing global partnerships.
“This wasn’t just about ticking boxes,” said Zahra Nawfer from BMS about structured learning across the TNE lifecycle. “It reminded us that quality is a shared ethos. The format encouraged reflection and peer learning.”
With Sri Lanka being the second-largest host of UK TNE globally (60,000+ enrolments), the initiative was well-received, and addressed sector needs identified in a British Council–Times Higher Education study, particularly on transparency, data practices, and capacity building.
Participants too reported tangible takeaways. “The focus on embedding employability in curriculum design was a game-changer,” said Dr. Krishani Anuradha Jayasinghe of Saegis Campus. “We’re already planning internal workshops.” Others, like Mary Lanshiya of BIET, said that the sessions helped clarify their strategic direction with UK partners.
The workshops created space for cross-sector engagement, drawing input from academics, administrators, and regulators alike. “The diversity made discussions richer,” said Pavithra Wickramasuriya from NIBM. Country Director of the British Council in Sri Lanka Orlando Edwards, said that the workshops are part of a broader strategy to continue to support quality and inclusion in higher education.
“As TNE grows in scale and complexity, quality assurance must grow with it,” he said. “Our aim is to equip institutions with the knowledge and tools they need to lead this transformation — not just meet standards but set them.”
Manager – Education Programs at the British Council Hamzi Haniff highlighted the sector-wide spirit of collaboration that shaped the workshops.“It was especially heartening to witness how openly institutions shared their experiences — even though many are technically competitors,” she said. “That willingness to work together reflects a shared commitment to quality. At the British Council, we see this as part of a bigger picture — helping Sri Lanka grow its TNE sector not just in numbers, but in value. This is about creating opportunity to strengthen human capital and build a higher education system that is globally respected and locally relevant.”
