Going Global 2014 research: South Asia revolution

Title

South Asia and Higher Education: Revolution and realities in the new economic order

Date

April 2014

Authors

Contributions from Louise Morley and Mary Stiasny

About 

South Asia accounts for around 25% of the world’s population, with a high proportion of that population under the age of 18. It is thought that more than 800 new universities will be built in South Asia over the next ten years, but building capacity alone is not a realistic solution to tackle the changes needed in the region to meet the increasing demand for higher education. 

The report also finds that although the numbers of women enrolling in higher education across South Asia is rising, women are still hugely under-represented in senior leadership and management positions in higher education. It argues that this will have significant social and economic costs for the region unless it is addressed.

This report is based on a series of Global Education Dialogues held across South Asia in 2013-14 and combines four new research reports and twelve opinion articles. Together these examine seven core challenges facing the higher education sector in South Asia and recommend action to address them, with the aim to be the definitive guide for researchers and policy makers interested in unlocking the region’s potential.

The countries covered in the report include:

Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates