British Council Transnational Education Awards Boost UK Partnerships in Türkiye and Brazil

The British Council has announced its latest Transnational Education (TNE) Exploratory Grant awards, recognising innovative proposals that aim to bridge educational divides and foster global collaboration. Two outstanding projects proposed by Newcastle University in partnership with institutions in Türkiye and Brazil have been selected to receive funding. Both projects led by Dr. Müge Satar, Reader in Applied Linguistics at the School of Education, Communication, and Language Sciences (ECLS), will run for 12 months, starting in January 2025. The projects closely align with the Newcastle University’s global strategy for transnational education (TNE), which focuses on creating equitable partnerships and a global learning experience for students that prepares them to be global citizens.

 

In Türkiye, we will collaborate with TED University to develop a joint postgraduate programme in English Language Teaching / TESOL. The co-lead for this initiative from TED University is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Bilki. Dr Satar and Dr Bilki are joined by Dr Jim Chan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ufuk Balaman, Prof. Dr. Jan Bamford and other members of their academic and professional services teams at their institutions. Together, they aim to address barriers to transnational education by pioneering a 1+1 dual-degree framework, enhancing mobility for students and staff while setting a benchmark for quality assurance in international education. The programme aspires to increase access to higher education and contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in quality education and reduced inequalities.

 

In Brazil, we are partnering with Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), a strategic partner for ECLS, and Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB) to explore opportunities and challenges in Transnational Education. This project lead in Brazil is Prof. Dr. Alexandre Anselmo Guilherme from PUCRS, and key contributors include Dr. Yao Wang, Prof. Dr. Marília Morosini, and Prof. Dr. Renato de Oliveira Brito. A series of workshops will engage higher education policymakers and academic leaders, focusing on improving student experiences, enhancing teaching quality, and fostering intercultural competencies. The initiative also aims to establish Brazil as a hub for innovative transnational education strategies.

 

Dr. Müge Satar, project lead for both initiatives, shared our excitement for our success with both awards:"We are thrilled to embark on these transformative projects with our esteemed partners in Türkiye and Brazil. Both initiatives present unique opportunities to enhance transnational education, address critical barriers, and create lasting impacts for students, educators, and institutions. These collaborations are a testament to the power of international partnerships in shaping the future of higher education, and we are deeply grateful for the British Council’s support in making them possible."

The projects highlight Newcastle University’s commitment to international collaboration and innovation in education. By addressing regional challenges and leveraging local expertise, these initiatives are poised to create lasting impacts on higher education systems in Türkiye and Brazil.