Widely Recognized Problems, Controversial Solutions: Issues and Strategies for Higher Education Development in East and Southeast Asia

Higher education across much of Asia is a remarkable success story. Enrollments have grown, participation in higher education has diversified, new universities have been created, and universities are experimenting with new forms of instructional delivery. At the same time, success has brought new problems as rapid expansion of access to higher education has placed new and interwoven pressures on facilities, personnel, and budgets. Efforts to address any one problem need to be undertaken with attention to the larger constellation of issues. This chapter provides an overview of these emerging and interrelated pressures. It discusses the role higher education plays in national development and provides an overview of the factors that have shaped the current situation of higher education across East and Southeast Asia. Finally, it explores options available to governments and higher education systems seeking to strengthen the quality, efficiency, and equity of post-secondary education in their countries.