A novel approach to policy development under disruptive circumstances using situation awareness and scenario planning in higher education

Abstract

This paper focuses on policy development in a Higher Education context and provides a model for ensuring sustainable educational practice in TNE partnerships under disruptive situations. The focal point of policy initiation and development was the Covid-19 virus outbreak in China and the ensuing impact on program delivery and assessment. The development takes a novel approach by applying a combination of commercial scenario planning and crisis management techniques to create a coherent and prescriptive educational policy for staff operating in a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership based on the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) faculty model. It demonstrates the application of these management tools and describes how, through careful analysis and planning, disruption to student learning, teaching and assessment can be minimized.