Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...
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Summary<br />
149<br />
UNESCO is <strong>the</strong> heir <strong>of</strong> International Institution <strong>of</strong> Intellectual Co-operation. It was created <strong>in</strong><br />
1946 to promote peace <strong>and</strong> security through <strong>in</strong>ternational collaboration <strong>in</strong> <strong>education</strong>, science,<br />
culture <strong>and</strong> now communication also. UNESCO organizational structure comprises <strong>of</strong> three<br />
pr<strong>in</strong>cipal organs; <strong>the</strong> general conference, <strong>the</strong> executive board <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> secretariat. These organs<br />
are l<strong>in</strong>ked with each o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>and</strong> each organ performs specific functions. UNESCO has five <strong>role</strong>s to<br />
play <strong>in</strong> its doma<strong>in</strong>s; laboratory <strong>of</strong> ideas, st<strong>and</strong>ard-setter, capacity-builder <strong>and</strong> catalyst<br />
organization. UNESCO is not <strong>the</strong> only UN agency, which is work<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>education</strong> but <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r n<strong>in</strong>e UN agencies also, which are l<strong>in</strong>ked directly <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>directly with <strong>education</strong> sector. But<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> higher <strong>education</strong> sub-sector UNESCO is <strong>the</strong> only UN agency, which has m<strong>and</strong>ate to work<br />
for capacity-build<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> higher <strong>education</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> member states.<br />
UNESCO has been work<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>and</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>education</strong> at levels <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
higher <strong>education</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world s<strong>in</strong>ce its <strong>in</strong>ception.<br />
UNESCO has <strong>of</strong>ficial relations with 87 <strong>in</strong>tergovernmental organizations (IGOs), 335 non-<br />
governmental organizations (NGOs), 319 <strong>in</strong>ternational NGOs <strong>and</strong> 19 foundations <strong>and</strong> 16<br />
organizations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations system. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore UNESCO has 4000 clubs, Centers <strong>and</strong><br />
Associations <strong>in</strong> some 100 <strong>countries</strong>, 7,900 Associated Schools <strong>in</strong> 176 <strong>countries</strong>. UNESCO<br />
Chairs <strong>and</strong> UNITWIN Networks, which undertake tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, research, <strong>in</strong>formation shar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong><br />
outreach activities <strong>in</strong> many programs that <strong>in</strong>clude: <strong>education</strong>, sciences, culture, <strong>and</strong><br />
communication <strong>and</strong> ICTs. Today <strong>the</strong>re are more than 715 UNESCO Chairs <strong>and</strong> 69 UNITWIN<br />
Networks, which are active <strong>in</strong> 131 <strong>countries</strong>. UNESCO headquarters is <strong>in</strong> Paris but it is<br />
physically present <strong>in</strong> all regions through its 56 field <strong>of</strong>fices; 17 <strong>in</strong> Africa, 16 <strong>in</strong> Asia, 14 <strong>in</strong> Lat<strong>in</strong><br />
America, 10 <strong>in</strong> Arab states <strong>and</strong> 5 <strong>in</strong> Europe. Apart from its field <strong>of</strong>fices UNESCO also have six<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutes <strong>and</strong> eight centers <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> different parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, which help to achieve its<br />
objectives.<br />
UNESCO is support<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> four <strong>in</strong>itiatives that were launched by <strong>the</strong> United<br />
Nations; <strong>the</strong> Education for All, <strong>the</strong> Millennium Development Goals, <strong>the</strong> United Nations Literacy<br />
Decade <strong>and</strong> United Nations Decade <strong>of</strong> Education for Susta<strong>in</strong>able Development.<br />
UNESCO performs many activities to develop higher <strong>education</strong> <strong>in</strong> its member <strong>countries</strong> that<br />
ranges from support<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> policy reforms, promot<strong>in</strong>g capacity development, establish<strong>in</strong>g