Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...

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creative learning, critical thinking, responsive curriculum, and enhanced role of the communities
in the qualitative and quantitative development of education.
In the wake of increased importance of ICTs in education, in 2000, the Ministry of Education
planned to ensure the provision of ICT education and education through ICTs from basic to
higher education levels. To face the new challenges of the 21 st century Centers for Human
Resource Development at many universities, institutes, and colleges started new programs.
Networking of higher education institutions particularly of universities is another important
initiative towards capacity building through sharing of ideas and resources. In this regards many
universities collaborate with international institutions of research. In 2005 government gave
more autonomy to many higher education institutions so that these institutes could act and react
more swiftly and effectively to the changing demands and needs. Ministry of Education has
launched the Thirty-year Long-term Education Development Plan 2001/2030 that is being
implemented in six phases covering different aspects of education from basic level to higher
education.
The Philippines
In the Philippines the reforms in education sector are aimed to make the national education
relevant and responsive to the rapidly changing needs of the society. During past few decades the
Department of Education has taken multiple initiatives to improve the accessibility, relevance,
and quality in education.
To bring the reforms in the education system the state commissioned three major studies on
education; Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) of 1991, Philippines Education
Sector Study (PESS) of 1998, and the Presidential Commission on Educational Reform (PCER)
in 2000. Congressional Commission on Education in 1992 proposed different measures to
improve the state of education. The creation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
in 1994, was a part of the reform process at higher education level. The CHED has taken
initiatives to ensure the quality of inputs and programs at higher education institutions in order to
assure overall quality. Teacher capacity development has been given a special attention through
pre-service and in-service training programs. Likewise more autonomy and liberty has been
given higher education institutions. As a result of the Presidential Commission on Educational
Reform (PCER) in 2000 the education sector was further restructured and reorganized at