WIREDGOV

New gateway for UK universities will build on international success

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 25 January 2012

Today Foreign Secretary William Hague, joined by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, will launch a new gateway for UK higher education institutions to build on their international success.

For the first time, the HE Global Integrated Advisory Service will bring together international education advice and services from both UK government departments and partners into one central resource.

The UK is one of the leaders in the provision of transnational education (TNE); the delivery of UK degree programmes, modules, training and other types of education at international locations, but it is a highly competitive market in an increasingly crowded global higher education market place.

HE Global will comprise a website, email and telephone helpline which will provide a single point of contact for UK universities looking to expand abroad through Transnational Education (TNE).

Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“The higher education industry export market is hugely important to the UK economy. By creating HEGlobal we are ensuring that UK institutions which wish to build international relationships and provide their expertise abroad have easy access to the best intelligence and assistance to enable them to significantly increase the value of international education over the next decade.”

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

“Higher education in the UK is world class; this is illustrated by the fact that we have three of the top ten and 32 of the top 200 ranked universities in the world, located right here in the UK.

“The HE Global service will ensure that our universities continue to be market-leaders providing high quality teaching and research world-wide.”

HE Global aims to maintain and advance the UK’s position at the forefront of global TNE activities by providing:

· A better knowledge of foreign market opportunities;

· A clearer and coordinated view of services offered by government and project partners;

· A better understanding of foreign quality assurance and accrediting systems;

· Access to finance and insurances to reduce risk; and

· Access to key information to help HEIs assess risks and carry out due diligence before undertaking TNE activities.

The service has been designed to be responsive to the sector, therefore a series of roadshows and workshops are being held with key international staff across the UK, and in offices overseas, to gain feedback and discuss how the service can be enhanced further to better help them in developing their international education activities.

Professor Colin Riordan, Chair, International UK Higher Education Unit commented:

“HE Global will enable higher education institutions to strengthen institutional relationships through transnational education and provide the foundations for innovative and long-lasting partnerships.”

HE Global Integrated Advisory Service has been developed by the UK HE International Unit and Universities UK, in partnership with UK Trade & Investment, UK Export Finance, the British Council and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Notes to Editors

1. For further information please email Catriona Finlayson from the UK HE International Unit (catriona.finlayson@international.ac.uk).

2. The HEGlobal Integrated Advisory Service is an initiative of Universities UK and the UK Higher Education International Unit (IU), supported by UK Trade & Investment and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. HEGlobal is hosted by the IU and reports into the International Education Advisory Forum, chaired by the Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts.

3. HEGlobal supports the activity of UK higher education institutions through a range of different services, including a website http://heglobal.international.ac.uk, helpline and outreach activities.

4. The partner organisations include:

· UK HE International Unit

· Universities UK

· UK Trade & Investment

· British Council

· Quality Assurance Agency

· Export Credit Guarantee Department

· Foreign and Commonwealth Office

· Science and Innovation Networks

· Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

· Research Councils UK

5. All figures referred to are taken from BIS Research Paper Number 46 "Estimating the Value to the UK of Education Exports", published June 2011: http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/higher-education/docs/e/11-980-estimating-value-of-education-exports.pdf

6. The UK Higher Education International Unit (IU) is a central observatory and intelligence unit on HE Internationalisation and European policy developments for higher education institutions: www.international.ac.uk / www.europeunit.ac.uk

7. Universities UK is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in 1918, its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector. With 132 members and offices in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh, it promotes the strength and success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk

8. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Jenny Varnham
Phone: 020 7215 5080
jenny.varnham@bis.gsi.gov.uk