Open Call for TNE Partnership Opportunity in Sri Lanka (UK)

Deadline: 15-Dec-2026

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) in Sri Lanka is seeking a UK university partner to develop collaborative academic programmes, research activities, and international mobility initiatives in healthcare and education. The proposed partnership aims to create new opportunities for students and staff through progression pathways, top-up and postgraduate programmes, joint or dual-award qualifications, curriculum development, faculty development, collaborative research, and staff and student mobility. The collaboration is particularly focused on Physiotherapy, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESL), and Early Childhood Education, while also offering opportunities in related healthcare, education, and professional development fields. IIHS is looking to establish a strategic partnership with a UK university to expand international academic opportunities and strengthen collaboration between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

The partnership may include:

The partnership is intended to benefit both institutions through academic collaboration and international engagement. Collaboration is particularly encouraged in three key areas: Additional collaboration may also be developed in related healthcare, education, and professional development fields. These areas provide opportunities for UK universities to contribute subject expertise while developing academic offerings for students in Sri Lanka. The proposed partnership can include progression pathways that allow IIHS students to continue their academic development through UK university programmes. Top-up programmes are also among the potential areas of collaboration. These pathways are intended to expand access to international qualifications while creating structured academic links between IIHS and a UK university. IIHS is seeking opportunities to develop joint or dual-award academic programmes with a UK university. Such programmes can provide a framework for deeper institutional collaboration and create additional international study opportunities for students. The partnership may also support the development and enhancement of programmes in healthcare, education, and related professional fields. Postgraduate programmes are another potential area of partnership. IIHS and its UK university partner could explore opportunities to develop academic offerings that respond to professional and educational needs in healthcare and education. The collaboration can combine the expertise of both institutions to strengthen programme quality and international academic engagement. The partnership aims to strengthen academic quality through curriculum enhancement and faculty development.

Potential areas of collaboration include:

These activities can help strengthen teaching capacity and improve the quality of academic programmes delivered through the partnership. Research collaboration is an important component of the proposed partnership. IIHS is seeking opportunities to work with a UK university on collaborative research in healthcare, education, and related areas. Research partnerships can also support academic exchange and strengthen the international research profile of both institutions. The proposed partnership includes opportunities for staff and student mobility. Mobility initiatives can help students and faculty gain international academic exposure while strengthening institutional relationships between Sri Lanka and the UK. The partnership is intended to foster longer-term academic and professional connections between the participating institutions. The partnership aims to expand international opportunities for IIHS students.

Expected benefits include:

These opportunities can help students strengthen their academic and professional development.

For IIHS, the partnership can help:

The collaboration is intended to support IIHS’s broader international academic development. A UK university can also benefit from establishing a strategic partnership with IIHS.

Potential opportunities include:

The partnership can therefore provide a platform for greater international engagement in South Asia. The partnership provides UK universities with an opportunity to engage with the Sri Lankan and South Asian education market. Through collaboration with IIHS, UK institutions can explore offshore programme delivery and international student recruitment while developing longer-term academic relationships in the region. IIHS is seeking a UK university that can demonstrate strong academic and institutional capabilities.

Preferred characteristics include:

Universities with expertise relevant to Physiotherapy, TESL, Early Childhood Education, healthcare, education, and professional development are particularly relevant to the proposed collaboration. IIHS has expressed a preference for UK universities that are either research-intensive or professionally recognised. Potential partners should demonstrate a strong commitment to international collaboration and have the academic expertise needed to contribute to joint programme development, research, curriculum enhancement, and mobility initiatives. IIHS is seeking a UK university to develop collaborative academic programmes, research, curriculum enhancement, and staff and student mobility initiatives in healthcare and education. The partnership particularly encourages collaboration in Physiotherapy, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESL), and Early Childhood Education. Yes. Additional opportunities may be explored in related healthcare, education, and professional development fields. Potential programmes include progression pathways, top-up programmes, postgraduate programmes, and joint or dual-award academic offerings. Yes. Collaborative research is one of the proposed areas of partnership. Yes. The proposed partnership includes staff and student mobility initiatives. Students can gain access to international progression pathways, top-up and postgraduate opport