Policy and strategy evaluation for transforming Malta to an international education hub (Dr Vangelis Tsiligiris)

The report provides an in-depth analysis of TNE opportunities in Malta. It outlines Malta’s unique selling points and areas for development and discusses opportunities for UK HEIs with a focus on Malta’s position post-Brexit, supporting UK HEIs in developing their strategy for TNE on the island.

Findings include the following:

• Malta offers a progressive policy environment for TNE, International student mobility, and International research collaboration. The country is ranked 8th amongst the 39 countries in the British Council (BC) TNE database, which ranks national governments according to enabling environment provided to their higher education institutions to internationalise and attract international students. Malta surpasses major destination countries such as the UK, US, Turkey, and China. The country ranks 16th in terms of support for international research engagement. Given its size and available resources, this is a satisfactory score and puts Malta above larger countries and those with more resources.
• Malta has a thriving business community which is particularly active in dynamic sectors such as IT technology, gaming and financial services and ties in well with universities looking to develop their programmes in the context of the 4^th industrial revolution.
• Malta has a clear language advantage: it is an English-speaking country and its education system is closely aligned with the UK.
• UK universities might see Malta as a “TNE innovation lab” where different TNE models can be developed and trialled. This is particularly pertinent in the context of blended/hybrid models thanks to Malta’s progressive approach to accredit and recognise online programmes.
• Malta also offers opportunities to develop programmes in collaboration with the business community that will incorporate substantial elements of experiential learning and, consequently, will create improved employability prospects for graduates.
• And it will be an attractive EU base post-Brexit: a UK HEI presence that is fully and formally embedded in Malta’s HE sector will allow continued participation in European funding programmes.

The report was commissioned by Education Malta and researched and authored by Dr. Vangelis Tsiligiris, University of Nottingham. Preliminary findings were presented at the British Council TNE expert visit to Malta in March 2018. A full copy of the report is attached.

If your institution is interested in developing a TNE presence in Malta and keen to better understand the market for your particular needs, please do get in touch with almut.caspary@britishcouncil.org  so we can connect you with the appropriate internal or external experts.