This articele addresses the dual issues of competition and conflicts around the world arising as a result of export and import of higher education specifucally focusing on how open universities and distance education institutions play their rolesin dynamically challenging emvironment. Open universities and distance education institutions share the common goal of improving access and quality of higher education. In this persuit they can explore possibilities for expanding their outreach across borders. However there are constraints and challenges to be addressed by open universities and distance education institutions to serve in new roles in provision or borderless higher education.