Chapter 9 - Engaging Transnational Students in Quality Assurance and Enhancement

Abstract

Transnational programs are increasingly being offered by higher-education institutions –either by those setting up their own overseas campus or through partnership arrangements with local universities or private institutions. In most cases there is heavy focus on the programs’ financial sustainability and limited focus on academic quality issues such as monitoring and enhancing the student experience and graduate outcomes. Student feedback comes under the microscope when external quality audits require evidence of student experience or when self-initiated reviews are undertaken. Institutions have made limited attempts to systematically engage transnational students and partners in the feedback process. This chapter outlines the case of Australian higher education wherein government policies have failed to monitor the quality of transnational student experience, despite the growth of transnational education. We argue that if governments and universities recognise transnational higher education as an important engagement activity that generates significant income, diversifies the student profile and promotes Australian higher education, then feedback from students, regardless of their location, is important to ensure a positive learning experience.