Skip to main content
Log in

Towards a Common Transnational Education Framework: Peculiarities in China Matter

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Higher Education Policy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Knight has proposed a common transnational education framework for use within and among countries. How this framework may be applied in particular contexts such as those of host countries like China remains unclear. The purpose of this article is to examine the literature to explore the framework to ascertain the extent of its utility in China in terms of application and research. The investigation highlights two areas for considerations by researchers and data collectors who may use the framework. The article concludes that understanding the peculiarities of transnational education in host countries plays a critical role in addressing the challenges associated with the development and application of a common framework and ultimately a robust international protocol for data collection of transnational education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altbach, P.G. and Knight, J. (2007) ‘The internationalization of higher education: Motivations and realities’, Journal of Studies in International Education 11(3/4): 290–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, N., Pasquinelli, C., Rovai, S. and Tani, S. (2016) ‘The local embeddedness of foreign campuses: The case of Tongji University in Florence’, Journal of Studies in International Education 20(4): 371–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, Y. (2011) ‘Cross-Border Higher Education in China and its Implications for Finland’, in Y. Cai and J. Kivistö (eds.) Higher Education Reforms in Finland and China: Experiences and Challenges in Post-massification Era, Tampere: Tampere University Press, pp. 245–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, Y., Hölttä, S. and Lindholm, N. (2013) ‘Establishing sub-campuses in China: a Finnish perspective’, Journal of Research in International Education 12(2): 142–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • China Education Daily. (2016) ‘Zhangkai shuangyi, zhongguo jiaoyu geng zixin (Open wings, China’s education has become more confident)’, http://www.jyb.cn/china/gnxw/201603/t20160315_655067.html.

  • Cross-Border Education Research Team (C-BERT). (2016) ‘Quick facts’, http://www.globalhighered.org.

  • Fang, W. (2012) ‘The development of transnational higher education in China: a comparative study of research universities and teaching universities’, Journal of Studies in International Education 16(1): 5–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, L. (2016) ‘Transnational higher education institutions in China: a comparison of policy orientation and reality’, Journal of Studies in International Education 20(1): 79–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HEGlobal. (2016) The scale and scope of UK higher education transnational education, London: UK HE International Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, F. (2007) ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education in the Era of Globalisation: what have been its implications in China and Japan?’, Higher Education Management and Policy 19(1): 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, F. (2008) ‘Regulation and practice of transnational higher education in China’, in L. Dunn and M. Wallace (eds.) Teaching in Transnational Higher Education: Enhancing Learning for Offshore International Students, London: Routledge, pp. 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J. (2014) ‘International education hubs: collaboration for competitiveness and sustainability’, New Directions for Higher Education 168(winter): 83–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J. (2016) ‘Transnational education remodeled: Toward a common TNE framework and definitions’, Journal of Studies in International Education 20(1): 34–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, J. and McNamara, J. (2015) Transnational Education Data Collection Systems: Awareness, Analysis, Action, London: British Council and German Academic Exchange Service (DADD).

    Google Scholar 

  • McNamara, J., Knight, J. and Fernandez-Chung, R.M. (2013) The Shape of Things to Come 2: The Evolution of Transnational Education: Data, Definitions, Opportunities and Impacts Analysis, Manchester: The British Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus (revised and updated ed.). (2014) Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster Inc.

  • MOE. (2003) ‘Jiaqiang jiaoyu shewai huodong guanli, shiying woguo jiaru WTO xingshi, jiaoyubu jueding zengshe jiaoyu shewai zhuanmen jianguan jigou (To enhance the regulations on education involved in foreign activities and adapt to new situations after China joining the WTO, the Ministry of Education has decided to establish a special division to supervise education involved in foreign activities)’, http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/xw_zllssj/moe_183/tnull_2016.html.

  • MOE. (2004) ‘Zhonghua renmin gongheguo zhongwai hezuo banxue tiaoli shishi banfa (Implementation Measures for the People’s Republic of China Regulations on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools’, http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A02/s5911/moe_621/200406/t20040602_180471.html.

  • MOE. (2014) ‘Jingwai banxue de xianzhuang ruhe (What is the current situation of China’s TNE operations overseas)?’, http://www.jsj.edu.cn/news/1/388.shtml.

  • MOE. (2015) ‘Jiaoyubu guanyu feizhi he xiugai bufen guizhang de jueding (The Ministry of Education’s decisions on anulling and amending some regulations)’, http://www.jsj.edu.cn/n2/1/1006/710.shtml.

  • MOE. (2016) ‘Nuli fazhan juyou zhongguo tese shijie shuiping de xiandai jiaoyu (Striving to develop world-class modern education with Chinese characteristics)’, http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xwfb/s5147/201604/t20160421_239406.html.

  • Mok, K. H. and Han, X. (2016a) ‘From ‘brain drain’ to ‘brain bridging’: transnational higher education development and graduate employment in China’, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management 38(3): 369–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mok, K. H. and Han, X. (2016b) ‘The rise of transnational higher education and changing educational governance in China’, International Journal of Comparative Education and Development 18(1): 19–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Momii, K. (2002) ‘Current Commitments under the GATS in Educational Services’, Paper Prepared for OECD/US Forum on Trade in Educational Services, Washington, D.C.: OECD/CERI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxford Dictionary of English (3rd ed.). (2010) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

  • Rumbley, L.E., Altbach, P.G. and Reisberg, L. (2012) ‘Internationalisation within the higher education context’, in D. K. Deardorff, H. de Wit, J. D. Heyl, and T. Adams (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of International Higher Education, Thousand Oak, CA: SAGE Publications, pp. 3–26,

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • State Council of China. (2003) ‘Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools’, http://www.jsj.edu.cn/n2/1/1002/51.shtml.

  • Wang, J. (2005) Kuaguo gaodeng jiaoyu yu zhongwai hezuo banxue (Cross-border higher education and Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools), Jinan: Shandong Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, S. and Huisman, J. (2012) ‘The international branch campus as transnational strategy in higher education’, Higher Education 64(5): 627–645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, S. and Urbanovič, J. (2014) ‘English as the lingua franca in transnational higher education: motives and prospects of institutions that teach in languages other than English’, Journal of Studies in International Education 18(5): 405–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, R. (2008) ‘Transnational higher education in China: context, characteristics and concerns’, Australian Journal of Education 52(3): 272–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zha, Q. (2012) ‘Transnational higher education in China: Towards a critical culturalist research agenda’, in Q. Zha and K. Mundy (eds.) Education and Global Cultural Dialogue: A Tribute to Ruth Hayhoe, New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 107–123.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mingyan Hu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hu, M., Willis, LD. Towards a Common Transnational Education Framework: Peculiarities in China Matter. High Educ Policy 30, 245–261 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-016-0021-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-016-0021-9

Keywords

Navigation