The international student recruitment landscape is rapidly transforming. The dominance of the 'Big 4' study destinations is diluting into a more diverse portfolio due to policy changes, socio-economic factors and more affordable study options.
Leading destinations such as the UK, the USA and Canada saw a dip in applications in 2024, as compared to the previous year, as students are now actively seeking more accessible, affordable and flexible pathways to global education.
These global shifts have created the perfect opportunity for universities to focus on what’s popularly emerging as the future of higher education – Transnational Education (TNE). TNE is the delivery of academic programmes in a country other than the awarding institution’s home.
'‘Yes, TNE connects the ambitions of local youths with global opportunities, but it’s not only about delivering academic programmes. It’s about transferring knowledge, expertise, and a global education culture. What makes TNE truly effective is its flexibility. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model, but a framework that adapts to both university partners’ priorities”, says Alaa Alghzawi, Business Development & Recruitment Director (MENA, Turkey & Pakistan)
Through international branch campuses, dual degree programmes, distance education and other collaborations, TNE makes education more accessible, affordable and flexible for students.
Additionally, by delivering international education directly to a student’s home country, TNE also enables global universities to expand their reach.
How TNE aligns with Saudi Arabia’s national goals
Countries like Saudi Arabia are already adapting to the change.
Saudi Arabia has been a key student market for international education. In 2023-24, the US saw 14000+ students from Saudi Arabia, the UK saw 5000+, and Australia saw about 3000+, and the numbers are only growing.
However, with Saudi Vision 2030 at the core of national transformation, the Kingdom is now setting its sights even higher to become the world's leading innovation hub. This has, in turn, led to a shift in government policies where centralised funds for scholarships are now being channelled through specific ministries that align with national goals (fields such as STEM, Healthcare, Business, Tourism, Humanities, etc.).
As a result, this commitment has brought about a strong demand for international academic expertise, curriculum development, faculty training, and quality assurance.
At Edvoy, we’ve been working with key ministries and universities in Saudi Arabia to develop TNE relations. Our end-to-end expertise makes us the right link between universities and their TNE partners. Add to that, our local knowledge of the market allows us to build meaningful collaborations that drive progress in education and support national goals.
Edvoy’s strategic partnership with Jazan University
Aligning with the evolving landscape and leveraging our 15 years of local expertise in Saudi Arabia, we’re proud to announce a landmark Memorandum of Understanding and strategic partnership with one of the leading institutions in the country – Jazan University. This is a multi-faceted collaboration that goes beyond student placement.
Here’s what it entails:
Empowering faculty: A key component involves providing opportunities for faculty from Jazan University to gain international experience, where they can learn from experts in the field and integrate best practices into local education, thus aligning with Vision 2030’s need to empower its academic workforce.
Accessible pathways: We provide dual degree opportunities for students at Jazan University, which helps make international education accessible for students locally. This allows students to gain an international education without the cost and logistical challenges they would otherwise face.
Potential branch campus: By opening a branch of New College Group (NCG) (Edvoy’s sister company) inside Jazan University’s campus, we’re fostering global academic standards at their doorstep and directly supporting national development.
The time for Transnational Education is ripe – now, more than ever. Edvoy is uniquely positioned to guide universities through this evolving landscape. By forging strategic partnerships, we bring world-class education directly to high-potential markets by bridging gaps, expanding reach, and unlocking new possibilities.
Interested? Talk to us and let’s build a more collaborative, inclusive, and accessible future for global education. You can reach out to our Director of Projects & Operations, Riccardo Lanza, at riccardo@edvoy.com for more information.
