Award

Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)

GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Oct 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

Glasgow Caledonian University has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Award for the Provision of In-Country Presence South-Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)." The contract, initiated through an open procedure, falls under the services category within the education industry. With active involvement from an open procedure procurement method, the university sought contractors to enhance its international student recruitment in key regions: South Asia (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria, and South East Asia. Located in Glasgow, the university's procurement process culminated with contract signing on 11th and 19th September 2025. This process aligns with the university's strategic marketing and recruitment objectives to bolster its brand and achieve student recruitment targets locally and internationally.

This tender opportunity presents significant business growth potential for contractors with expertise in international education marketing and recruitment. Businesses specialising in strategic market entry and expansion, particularly those with experience in the South Asia, Nigeria, and South East Asia regions, would find this opportunity well-suited to their capabilities. The contract offers scope for enhancing local market presence and leveraging regional alliances to support Glasgow Caledonian University's objectives of increasing student enrolment and improving its competitive edge globally. Large-scale suppliers like QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd and Illume Student Advisory Services have been awarded the contract, evidencing the procurement's alignment with businesses equipped to facilitate significant international growth and support extensive recruitment activities.

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Notice Title

Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU)

Notice Description

The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence in the South Asia region (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria and South East Asia. The Directorate of Future Students, Marketing and Communications key function is to develop, manage and execute the University's marketing and recruitment strategy, enabling the University to achieve student recruitment targets (all degree levels) from UK and international markets, as well as more broadly build and bolster our brand position and levels of recognition.

Lot Information

Award for In-Country Presence in South East Asia

As GCU begins to enter new priority diversification markets in South East Asia, we are seeking an experienced partner capable of supporting GCU in building, acquiring and maintaining market share over time. Five of our priority diversification markets are in South East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines). All these markets are at market entry or development stage for GCU, with currently very low enrolment numbers. An in-country presence will serve as the local liaison, fostering consistent communication and relationships with GCU agent network, prospective students and offer holders. By leveraging the local knowledge and cultural understanding, the in-country presence will recommend recruitment and conversion plans to resonate with the target audiences. The representative will conduct information sessions, participate in education fairs, and engage with local schools to actively promote GCU's programmes. The regional presence will provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risk in this region. This is crucial for GCU to make informed decisions and adapt its strategies in the dynamic South East Asian region. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies.

Award for In- Country Presence in South Asia ( excluding Pakistan)

The University has identified the need for continued South Asia regional presence to support recruitment targets and associated objectives. The South Asia region has been identified through market intelligence and experience as a region with potential to contribute significantly to these targets over the next three years. The priority markets in this region for GCU are India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We require the regional presence in South Asia to support recruitment and conversion activities in these priority markets. We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in India that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. (i.e. either Mumbai and Delhi). We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this. The contractor must have capacity and resources in South Asia region to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.

Award for In- Country Presence in Nigeria

Nigeria has been a top recruitment market for GCU for many years. We require an in-country presence to continue to maximise recruitment opportunities for GCU postgraduate courses and to also grow the appeal of GCU undergraduate courses in the market. The in-country presence will build relationships with key sponsors and visit on a regular basis and participate in local events. The regional presence also needs to provide market insights and intelligence that contributes to maximising recruitment opportunities and mitigating risks. In addition to this operational function the University also require full cycle reporting and reflection on engagement to maximise efficiencies. We require an in regional presence to provide effective, measurable and proven strategic recruitment and conversion support. Based on research and previous experience of the HE sectors; this presence should be in a city hub in Nigeria that fits well with our course portfolio and provides the institution with competitive advantage. We are requesting recommendations as how best to resource this. The contractor must have capacity and resources in Nigeria to efficiently facilitate the attainment of international targets.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000811531
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540435
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£894,647 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@gcu.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1413313578

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G4 0BA
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

ILLUME STUDENT ADVISORY SERVICES

QS QUACQUARELLI SYMONDS

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540435
    Award for the Provision of In- Country Presence South- Asia, Nigeria & Malaysia (GCU) - The University is seeking a Contractor(s) for the provision of In-Country Presence in the South Asia region (excluding Pakistan), Nigeria and South East Asia. The Directorate of Future Students, Marketing and Communications key function is to develop, manage and execute the University's marketing and recruitment strategy, enabling the University to achieve student recruitment targets (all degree levels) from UK and international markets, as well as more broadly build and bolster our brand position and levels of recognition.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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