COLLABORATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THE WAY FORWARD TO INNOVATION, INVENTIONS AND CULTIVATION OF TALENT IN SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

South Asia has been witnessing a demographic explosion since the past few decades. It is home to virtually a quarter or one fourth of the world’s population today. This geometric progression has been apparent in all sections of life and especially in the Education sector. There has been a definitively marked market for skilled professionals which is also witnessing expansion exponentially. However, the issues of access, equity, quality and relevance are the areas of concern. It is only too apparent that the changed scenario of higher education entails the reshaping of the age-old practices and the introduction of new thinking that is dovetailed with updated practices. The moot question which is central to the issue is “What are some of the strategic as also the operational priorities that are vital for the pursuance of quality higher education in the region? This again brings to the fore the question of “the sort of collaborations” that would have to be forged between these countries to foster the ability to achieve a platform of excellence in the higher levels of education. The objective was to determine the support that would be necessary to be targeted to achieve a highly positive and sustainable impact. Today most of the Asian countries are rapidly building upon high-income economies on the basis of knowledge technology and the necessary innovation that is desired to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. Despite being geographically interactive and adept at communications here are several parameters that hold back the progress of these countries in the educational field. This paper discusses at length the way forward in this regard.