Pathways to an East Asian Higher Education Area: a comparative analysis of East Asian and European regionalization processes

Abstract

The Author argues that historical regional developments in Europe and East Asia greatly influence the formation of an East Asian Higher Education Area. As such, this article compares European and East Asian regionalization and higher education regionalization processes to show this path dependency in East Asian regionalization of higher education on its regionalization process. Lastly, the author advances that (1) defining the East Asian region; (2) developing regional guidelines/frameworks; and (3) establishing sub-regional higher education areas, using regional guidelines/frameworks, need to be done prior to integrating into an East Asian Higher Education Area. This integration process is to be advanced by institutionalizing regional mobility, quality assurance and mutual recognition of higher education and professional qualification with the establishment of regional institutions focused on these areas.