Research and Benchmarking

A systematic literature review is conducted to identify key trends, gaps, and areas of focus in Transnational Education (TNE). This includes a bibliometric analysis of British Council reports and over 500 academic articles on TNE in the UK and Egypt. Bibliometric tools such as VOS viewer and Infranodus are used to visualise connections between topics, identify research gaps, and capture thematic clusters. This task establishes a foundational understanding of academic discourse and policy contexts in both regions.

A detailed inventory of existing master’s programmes in ABE across UK and Egyptian institutions is created. Comparative analysis identifies distinctions in teaching methods, assessment strategies, and specialisation areas, which serve to surface best practices and innovative curricular models in TNE. 

Using qualitative content analysis, the curricula of benchmarked programmes are evaluated across key thematic clusters, including heritage conservation, sustainability, adaptive reuse, and global urbanism. This analysis supports the alignment of proposed curricula with both global priorities and local development challenges. 

Insights from the literature review and benchmarking analysis are synthesised to identify common curricular structures, delivery models, and pedagogical practices across existing programmes. These consolidated findings form a comprehensive overview of trends and best practices that can inform the design of future TNE programmes. The outcomes were presented during the first in-person workshop held in Egypt, serving as a foundation for critical discussions on the integration of transdisciplinary approaches. The workshop also addressed potential risks and challenges associated with implementing such programmes, fostering collaborative dialogue among stakeholders.