About Transnational Support Services
Transnational Support
Services (TSS) is a unit developed in 2001, to oversee the administration of
transnational programs of the Division of Business (DivBUE). Currently, TSS
administers programs in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The transnational programs are delivered in collaboration with
offshore partners, which are
tertiary institutions. The offshore partners provide appropriate
teaching facilities, facilitate
face-to-face enquiry management for students, local teaching or tutoring
staff (in some programs), collection of fees, and mail outs to students. TSS staff communicate daily with
partner staff, primarily by email and phone. TSS is currently "teaching
out" or exiting from our programs in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Transnational students typically study in their home country however in some programs students can complete their program in Adelaide. Transnational teaching incorporates many different types of teaching modes including online; mixed mode delivery combining face-to-face seminars and distance learning; shared teaching where the partner institution delivers half the courses; and UniSA moderated programs. Some of UniSA's transnational MBA programs are delivered in Mandarin. The University may send academic staff to the offshore location to deliver lectures in person, once or twice each offshore term. The University provides students with online study support materials, course materials and access to online library databases in program and course websites.
TSS correspond on a regular basis with partner staff regarding student and program issues and facilitate students' and partner staff interaction with the University's online environment. Program Relationship Coordinators (PRCs) constantly negotiate with offshore partner staff regarding such issues as admissions, credit, marketing, examinations, moderation, fee splits with income from student fees, teaching dates, and University policy. PRC's also collate program financial data for the Division accountant.
The Student Service Advisers (SSAs) at TSS manage the lifecycle of the students involving enrolments from admission to graduation. The terms in which the students study, are unique to each location, program and partner. These rolling terms, which can start at any time during the year, depending on new student numbers, and the fact that offshore students do not use enrol online, are two of the most significant differences between administering offshore students compared with local Adelaide onshore student administration.
Overseas awards ceremonies are held for graduates and students can also choose to come to Adelaide to graduate. Schools within the Division of Business host various functions to congratulate graduates who choose to attend an Adelaide Graduation, twice each year.