Times Higher Education, NAFSA and Common Purpose to collaborate on groundbreaking new certificate for international education professionals

A new International Education Professional Certificate has been launched by THE, NAFSA and Common Purpose
五月 8, 2024
International Education Professional Certificate launched

A new International Education Professional Certificate (IEPC) to empower professionals in international education has been announced by an ensemble of the best-known brands serving the global higher education sector - Times Higher Education (THE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators and leadership development expert, Common Purpose.


The IEPC is a comprehensive 12-module online course providing knowledge, skills and competencies for success in global education, built on NAFSA’s International Education Professional Competencies2.0
and designed to equip and empower international educators at different stages in their career, from early career to established, senior professionals. The initial launch will start with a foundational course for individuals with 0-3 years' experience, including recent graduates entering the field or professionals transitioning from other industries into international education. From there, further courses will be launched for high-potential and senior professionals. 

“This partnership harnesses the unique strengths of each organisation to the benefit of international educators, their institutions, and their students in an intentional way,” said Dr Fanta Aw, NAFSA executive director and CEO. “By combining the unparalleled expertise of NAFSA’s staff and member-leaders with Common Purpose’s top-notch learning platform and the extensive reach of Times Higher Education, we are providing newer professionals better and more flexible access to essential career-building tools. This program ensures that professionals gain the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving international education landscape.”  

The gold standard course for international education is organised into four packages: decision making, compliance care, inclusive programmes, and agile leadership. The modules address challenges faced by a foundational professional providing them with a series of skills and abilities to help them. 

The course features expert-led modules facilitated by esteemed leaders in the international education community, offering participants unparalleled access to industry insights and best practices.  

Times Higher Education’s chief development officer Patrick Hayes said: “Through extensive engagement with the sector, we have identified the need to develop a course – for international education professionals, by international education professionals - that will provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in this vitally important sector, wherever in the world they may be based. This is a true collaboration between three deeply committed organisations who are seeking to leverage their collective strengths to develop a transformative initiative that will assist both international education professionals and the students they support.” 

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate of completion and gain recognition as international education professionals equipped with essential competencies to excel in their roles. 

Adirupa Sengupta, group chief executive Common Purpose Charitable Trust, adds: “What makes this partnership so special is that all three partners are absolutely committed to international education and to inclusive learning - we want to create a dynamic learning experience that is accessible on a global scale and genuinely equips, empowers and inspires talented individuals in the sector. At Common Purpose, we are delighted to bring our expertise and experience in designing and curating powerful learning on our digital platform to this exciting new certificate – and in doing so, we look forward to delivering on our collective ambition for international education.”  

The online program provides flexibility and accessibility, allowing participants to engage with course materials at their own pace and the full IEPC course costs US$695 for NAFSA members, $795 for non-members and a package of three modules costs $225 for NAFSA members, $300 for non-members. 

For more information and to register for the International Education Professional Certificate, visit  International Education Professional Certificate.