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

3.6 Definition of higher education
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There exist different education systems in the world and usually in every system the total
duration of formal schooling can be divided into three broader levels; primary, secondary and
tertiary or higher but the duration of each level is not necessarily the same in all systems. In
Armenia, Russia, and Turkmenistan primary schooling duration is only three years while in
Ireland it is eight years. Similarly there exists a great variation in the duration of schooling at
lower secondary level: the duration ranges from four years to nine years in different countries of
the world. At tertiary and higher education level also there exist great variation in terms of
duration and nature of education, which has made defining higher or tertiary education more
complicated. Any education entered after successful completion of secondary education, which
may include vocational post-secondary education (leading to a certificate) and higher education
(leading to a degree), even though the designation is often used synonymously with higher
education (Campbell & Rozsnyai, 2002)
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “higher education is a level that comes afar the
secondary level, particularly the education at college or university level” (The American
Heritage Dictionary, 2009). Where Britannica Concise Encyclopedia defines it as, “Higher
education or post-secondary education refers to a level of education that is provided at
academies, universities, colleges, seminaries, institutes of technology, and certain other
collegiate-level institutions, such as vocational schools, trade schools, and career colleges, that
award academic degrees or professional certifications” (The Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011).
Higher education in the Encyclopedia Britannica has defined as “any of various types of
education given in postsecondary institutions of learning and usually at the end of a course of
study degree, diploma, or certificate are conferred. These higher-education institutions include
universities, colleges and various professional schools that provide preparation in such fields as
law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. Higher education also includes teacher-
training schools, junior colleges, and institutes of technology.” (The Encyclopædia Britannica,
2011) According to this Encyclopedia “mostly higher education starts after the completion of
secondary education, and the usual entrance age is about 18 years.”
Tertiary education is formal, non-compulsory, education that follows secondary education.
Tertiary education, in most settings, is non-compulsory education provided via a specialist