Times Higher Education opens consultancy HQ in Hong Kong

Times Higher Education is to launch a Hong Kong office this month, opting to make it the global headquarters of the company’s expanding consultancy arm. 

Higher education strategist and data expert Zainab Malik – former research director of education intelligence at the British Council – will lead the unit as the company’s new head of consultancy.

The company, home to the prestigious annual THE World University Rankings, is expanding its international consultancy, supporting higher education institutions’ individual strategic development.

THE has an established office in Singapore, and recently appointed its first Asia-Pacific editor, based in Sydney. The Hong Kong office will be the company’s first base within East Asia.

Trevor Barratt, THE’s managing director, said: “As an expanding global higher education business, it’s the right time to deepen our footprint and investment within East Asia. The region is one of the most important and dynamic for higher education and research, and a fantastic base for a global business. It’s a region of great strategic importance to us, and a key one in which to strengthen our international partnerships.”

He added: “Zainab is an experienced and trusted global authority on higher education and absolutely the right person to develop this stream of our work in supporting and advising universities.”

Ms Malik is a leading data expert and international voice on global higher education, and advises institutions and governments globally on their strategic objectives.

She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining THE, with its unparalleled higher education data, experience and expertise, to lead the company’s consultancy offer. The global higher education landscape is swiftly evolving, and current data and analyses are increasingly important in helping universities develop individual, evidence-based solutions.

“I’m looking forward to working with institutions to support them in developing their strategies, and in building their long-term excellence.”   

Hong Kong has six universities in the World University Rankings, with five in the global top 200. Mainland China is the sixth most-represented nation in the top 200.