Join a webinar on TNE opportunities in Bulgaria

UK and Bulgarian higher education institutions, higher education agencies and organisations are invited to a deep-dive webinar on transnational education (TNE) opportunities in Bulgaria, with a focus on evaluation and accreditation of TNE programmes. 

Session title: Accreditation and evaluation in the context of UK-Bulgarian TNE programmes

When: 16 December 2024, 15.00–16.00 UK time / 17.00–18.00 Bulgarian time

Register by: 13 December 2024, midnight UK time

Register via the registration link

About the session

The session will explore accreditation and evaluation processes in the context of UK-Bulgarian TNE programmes. The discussion will build upon presentations of variously structured partnering institutions from Bulgaria and UK running different types of TNE programmes.

Speakers include:

• Dobryana Petkova, UK-Bulgarian TNE programme and cross-sectoral projects manager, British Council Bulgaria
• Prof. Eliza Petrova Stefanova, Ph.D, President of the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) and President of the Accreditation Council
• Eduardo Ramos, Director of International & Professional Services at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
• officials from higher education institutions, including professionals dealing with international relations shall be confirmed closer to the event.

This is an interactive session. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences when it comes to TNE partnerships in Bulgaria.

Why UK transnational education in Bulgaria?

Public attitudes to UK education remain highly favourable, yet those who wish to study in the UK often face major financial challenges since the removal of 'home fee' status for EU citizens. This is especially the case in a country where average incomes remain low compared with much of the rest of the EU. 

A joint declaration of strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the UK was signed in London in October 2023 by Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and UK Foreign Secretary. The declaration includes a section for the development of the science, education and culture sectors, including fostering transnational education (TNE) partnerships.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed by the UK’s QAA and the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency within the general assembly meeting of the ENQA in Dublin in October 2023.

Recent amendments in the Bulgarian higher education legislation, including new order for the admission of students - foreign citizens or stateless persons who have received temporary protection on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, are strongly in support of internationalisation. The process also builds on the efforts of improvement related to study recognition, evaluation and accreditation processes, including recognition of micro-credentials, online education and research collaborations.  

Discover more partnership opportunities for UK institutions

This is the second year that the British Council in the EU region has run a programme supporting UK universities to better understand the opportunities for internationalisation with institutions in EU countries and develop partnerships.

Discover the full series here: https://opportunities-insight.britishcouncil.org/news/opportunities/eu-webinar-series-internationalisation-and-tne-partnerships