Ann Katrin MULLER

Abstract Transnational education is becoming an increasingly important way for universities to expand global learning opportunities and deepen international collaboration. Beyond traditional student mobility, many institutions are now exploring new forms of partnership through joint programmes, shared curriculum development, and flexible academic pathways that allow students to benefit from international learning experiences. At the same time, developing transnational education initiatives is not always straightforward. Universities often face challenges in building partnerships that go beyond formal agreements, aligning academic structures across institutions, and designing programmes that genuinely add value to the student experience. This pre-conference workshop will bring together universities from Asia and Europe to share experiences and reflect on the evolving role of transnational education. The session will not be structured as a series of presentations. Instead, it will focus on open discussion and collaborative exchange, allowing participants to share their own experiences and perspectives. The workshop will draw on the experiences of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), University of Nottingham Malaysia, TH Mannheim, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Hochschule Hannover. Through guided conversations and small group discussions, participants will explore some of the practical questions that universities face when developing cross-border education initiatives and reflect on how these challenges might be addressed in their own institutional context. Learning Objectives ● To reflect on the evolving role of transnational education in international higher education ● To exchange institutional experiences in developing international partnerships and programmes ● To explore different approaches to designing collaborative cross-border programmes ● To identify practical ideas that may help strengthen transnational education initiatives within participants’ institutions Target Audience This workshop is intended for colleagues involved in international collaboration and programme development in higher education. Participants may include international office staff, partnership managers, mobility coordinators, academic programme leaders, faculty members, and institutional leaders who are interested in developing or strengthening transnational education initiatives. The session welcomes both participants who are new to transnational education as well as those who already have experience in international programme development and would like to exchange ideas and practices with colleagues from different regions.

Abstract: As higher education systems respond to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, international mobility is being redefined from a transactional exchange activity into a strategic enabler of global talent development. The key question is no longer whether students should be mobile, but how mobility can shape graduates who are technically competent, ethically grounded, culturally agile, and globally responsible. This session brings together technical universities and universities of applied sciences from Asia and Europe, featuring collaborations between Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al- Sultan Abdullah, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, TH Mannheim, and Hochschule Hannover. Drawing on partnership models, the panel will explore how mobility is evolving through industry-integrated exchanges, work-based learning, joint and dual-degree pathways, and collaborative or hybrid learning models, including COIL and digital mobility. The discussion will examine how institutions can design mobility ecosystems that go beyond short-term exchanges to deliver long-term academic, industry, and societal value. It will highlight how Asia–Europe partnerships can support co-created solutions that respond to technological disruption while preserving human-centred values. Participants will gain insights into designing purposeful, scalable mobility initiatives that strengthen global partnerships, enhance graduate readiness, and remain aligned with the demands of an AI-driven global landscape. Learning objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Analyse how international mobility is evolving in the AI age and its role in developing globally competent, future-ready graduates. Evaluate practical models of Asia–Europe partnerships that move beyond traditional exchange frameworks. Design mobility strategies that integrate academic collaboration, industry engagement, and intercultural learning. Target audience: International Office professionals managing partnerships, mobility programmes & global engagement strategies. Academic leaders & faculty involved in curriculum innovation, dual-degree programmes & TNE. Researchers & practitioners focusing on mobility, international partnerships & global higher education resilience.