This research It seeks to further develop collaboration between higher education institutions in both countries, providing concrete recommendations for the new bilateral context.
The report proposes continuing to invest in joint collaborations in higher education (in the areas of degrees, vocational training and doctorates) which have already experienced a growth of 96% in the last three years
At the presentation events, held in Madrid and Barcelona, the British Chamber of Commerce Education Committee was also unveiled, created to promote educational collaborations between the two countries.
The British Council, the UK's organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, and SEPIE, the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education, are starting their joint journey with the aim of initiating new avenues of collaboration between the UK and Spain in the field of higher education.
Thus, in separate events held in Madrid and Barcelona, both institutions presented a first report To understand the current environment in which transnational university collaboration between the United Kingdom and Spain must develop, this document addresses the new educational context since the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union and includes very specific proposals submitted by the sector in both countries.
In this way, the working teams of SEPIE and the British Council have already begun to discuss ways of collaborating in line with the recommendations of the report, from the creation of networks to offering valuable information on regulation and ways of collaboration (reliable and clear), as well as promoting education in each of the countries.
For Mark Howard, director of the British Council in Spain, the development of this report represents a step forward in this new post-Brexit context.Educational collaboration fosters the exchange of ideas and contributes to understanding between cultures. It is a path that we must necessarily take.Howard stated.
Presentation of the British Chamber of Commerce Education Committee
In addition, the working group was publicly presented at the event. British Chamber of Commerce, Called 'Education Committee', made up of leading institutions in the field of higher education such as Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University, British Council, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Cognita,EAE Business School, International Schools Partnership y Mondragon UniversityThis working group aims to continue developing and promoting networks to enhance educational collaboration between the United Kingdom and Spain.
In this line, Enric OrdeixDean of EAE Business School Barcelona and president of Education Committee from the British Chamber of Commercein SpainHe reaffirmed that “the report’s data highlights the interest in continuing to collaborate with British educational institutions, despite Brexit. Governments and institutions must materialize this commitment by working closely together to address the challenges and opportunities in education in both countries.”.
Strong interest in UK-Spain educational collaborations
The interest shown by institutions in both countries in developing educational collaborations is evident. The data from the report prepared by the British Council and SEPIE reflect this. For example, it is striking that transnational academic collaborations (joint programs) in higher education have shown remarkable growth, no less than 96% between the 2018-19 and 2020-21 academic years. Furthermore, the survey conducted by SEPIE shows that 64% of Spanish educational institutions express a “strong interest” in maintaining or creating new collaborations with universities in the United Kingdom.
Challenges for the development of collaborations
The report also highlights some of the challenges that educational institutions must face in order to continue promoting collaborations after Brexit.
These include regulatory challenges, bureaucratic issues, and funding matters. Furthermore, the need for reliable sources of information is also highlighted, as these will provide institutions with the confidence to develop collaborations.
Opportunities and recommendations
In light of the challenges presented, the text from the British Council and SEPIE proposes some initiatives to improve the current environment and, in addition, focuses on promoting those areas where academic collaboration seems most promising.
These recommendations include the signing of a bilateral framework agreement for student mobility, which would provide security for educational institutions. Furthermore, the creation of networks of common interest is proposed to improve knowledge and promote the educational strengths of each system in the neighboring country. The creation of a hub of knowledge, which allows for clarity and eliminates the confusion that exists in some processes, providing truthful information.
Another of the most interesting elements proposed by the report is the articulation of double degree programs using British top-ups (which would allow students to obtain two undergraduate degrees in four years, combining the British and Spanish systems), joint doctorates and the creation of integrated higher vocational training programs (that is, programs that allow students to obtain a double degree in the field of vocational training).
In fact, it is important to highlight that these joint degrees between British and Spanish universities have grown by 96% in the last three years. Continuing to explore these avenues could lead to new forms of educational collaboration between Spain and the United Kingdom.
Thus, the report concludes that, although there are significant challenges to expanding and strengthening academic collaborations and student mobility between the UK and Spain, there are reasons to believe in a promising future. The strengths of existing relationships and the interest of institutions, students, and industry agencies are sufficient to build new forms of mutual collaboration that will maximize opportunities.
