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

7 Discussion
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What is the role of the IGOs in the promotion and development of higher education in Asia?
How are the IGOs achieving their objectives in the field of higher education? These two
questions are of great importance, for all stakeholders, in today‟s internationalized and
globalized world. There exist different approaches to respond these questions as a result there are
different models that offer starkly contrasting interpretations of the role and function of
intergovernmental organizations: traditional models that consider IGOs central actor whereas
non-traditional models keep IGOs in a peripheral position.
7.1 Change in the value of higher education in Asia
In the early 21st century, due to the increase in the demand, higher education has become a
competitive enterprise this elevated competition is helpful in producing excellence (Altbach,
Reisberg et Rumbley 2009). Education in general higher education in particular acts as a fulcrum
as it help to find an equilibrium between resources and needs at national and international levels:
education has a capacity to produce counter balance by transforming raw human resource into
high valued human capital that is a prerequisite for a better utilization of other resources. The
increased demand of higher education, at national and international levels, is putting further
pressure on IGOs to play effective role through enhanced interaction with states and other IGOs.
At present knowledge has become the main driving force in the development of economy so less
developed countries can no longer compete through unskilled labor and simple material
resources. The knowledge poverty and innovation deficit in such countries has a negative impact
on the human development index (HDI) that is also evident from UNDP data on HDI. Neo-
liberal market ideologies have led to the new developments and reforms in the field of higher
education, as a result policy and governance framework has also transformed and it has had a
great impact on the mode of finance and management of institutions (Rizvi 2004). The World
Bank Group supports, promotes and propagates the neo-liberal globalization in economics and
education as well this is resulting in an enhanced role of market and organizations in education
particularly higher education (Jakobi 2007). IGOs are now reaching out to secondary and tertiary
education, as the balance between poverty reduction and growth promotion is adjusted within
development assistance strategies.