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

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Similarly in East Asian region also different civilizations flourished in different parts; in China
many dynasties ruled during ancient and imperial era 6 . Chinese invented many things that
include paper, gunpowder and blast furnace; in Japan there flourished many civilizations like
Jomon, Yayoi, Kufan, Asuka, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Muromachi and Edo periods; 7 in Korea,
also human civilization and culture prospered and progress during different periods and
dynasties.
South East Asia has been inhabited by human beings since prehistoric times. The civilizations in
this region evolved into much complex and varied cultures with varying degrees of influence
from the outside world i.e. China, India and Europe. Ayutthaya, Khmer and Srivijaya kingdoms
are the most prominent and dominant one 8 .
4.2.3 Europeans in Asia
European imperialism in Asia has its roots in the “Age of Discovery” 9 from 15 th to 17 th century.
But Asia was known to Europe long before the age of discovery when Marco Polo, a European
traveller and historian, during 13th A.D. travelled and explored West Asia, Central Asia and
China. He introduced this part of the world to Europeans through his famous book “II Milione or
The Million” also called the travels of Marco Polo. Probably he used Silk route to reach Beijing.
Portugal, in early 15 th century, was the pioneer among European nations followed by Spain, in
colonizing the newly linked world; Africa, America and Asia. Envious of Portuguese and
Spanish success, wealth and establishment of overseas empires England, France and Netherland
also stared colonizing Asia and other continents in 16 th . By the end of the 19 th century a major
part of Asia had been under, direct or indirect, foreign control.
Afterwards multiple factor led to an end of colonial era, these factors include: independence
movements, renaissance, population growth in colonized side while bad management and non-
serious planning from colonizers side (Grossman & Iyigun, 1997). This loosened the European
grip over occupied areas. The World War I and II proved final nail in the coffin of colonialism
because these wars made Europe economically and politically so much so weak and exhausted
6 History of China http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_china Retrieved on 8th February 2010
7 History of Japan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Japan Retrieved on 8th February 2010
8 The history of Thailand http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/History_of_Thailand/ Retrieved on 8th February 2010
9 According to European historians the period from 15 th to 17 th century is “Age of discovery” as during this period Europeans
explored and mapped the world. During this period links with Africa, America and Asia were established.