At Commonwealth education forum in Y’de: Stakeholders drum adjustments to improve transnational education.

This was during a Commonwealth Conference on TNE under the theme: “Strengthening Commonwealth partnerships through education”. 

TNE is a system of delivering academic programmes and certificates beyond borders with learners earning international certificates in their countries.

The British High Commission and AECO Limited, an organisation with interest in addressing structural challenges in education across Africa, organised the forum. 

Among national stakeholders who shared perspectives on TNE were guests from outside the country and industry experts.

According to Ewang Atabe, one of the organisers who heads AECO, TNE is a system which ensures acquiring the best quality education without leaving one’s country is a vital window to exploit in this age. 

Atabe said there is need for actors including governments to build, collaborate to put in place the wheels on which TNE could thrive in Cameroon. 

He reiterated that given the dynamics of this era, there is increasing demand for quality education, making TNE and indispensable aspect in the process.

The British High Commissioner to Cameron, Matt Woods, said TNE has huge potential for Cameroon that could be exploited through the country’s membership in the Commonwealth. 

Woods reiterated education as a vital tool for everyone, noting that is imperative to exploit the best opportunities. The British High Commissioner also underscored the need to involve the private sector to ensure a win-win partnership through TNE. 

He told the audience that studying abroad in-person is very expensive, stating that acquiring quality and inclusive education through TNE partnerships could be a game changer.

Panelists sharing perspectives on TNE

The Marketing Director at Education Malaysia Global Services, Esther Low, shared her country’s experience in TNE. Esther Low said moving education programmes across borders must take into consideration capacity and quality.

She explained that Malaysia worked with industry experts. She mentioned the creation of branch campuses of renowned global institutions in Malaysia to curb student outflow. 

Franchise and validation programmes, she added, must also be put in place to deliver certificates locally.

The Malaysian indicated that expanding international collaboration through TNE is one the most innovative ways to build value.

Prof Serah Anyang Anyang Agbor of the Ministry of Higher Education stated that for TNE to succeed, digitisation must be prioritised. 

Any such educational system that doesn’t impart skills and knowledge required in today’s society, the academic said, won’t change anything.

During a panel discussion, Prof Agbor restated the place of government oversight, drumming collective responsibility even in the private sector. 

She said the Ministry of Higher Education has services that handle issues similar to TNE but asked those fronting the movement to engage the Ministry for formal action.

On other issues, Prof Agbor proposed developing competence-based curricula, industry partnerships to change the face of TNE.

Another panelist, Dr Elmine Fotabe, of the Fotabe University Institute, noted that partnerships and technology are highly needed in TNE but expressed concerns regarding the legal framework.

She said the Cameroonian setting appears restrictive than innovative with some certificates acquired online not being recognised.

Buchi Okonkwo, Regional Director for West Africa at Edinburg Napier University said risk, adaptation, different country-specific policies and several TNE models makes the need to clarify the way forward imperative.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3726 of Monday March 09, 2026