The future for Asia¡¯s universities is collaboration

Like 바카라사이트 delicate flutter of a butterfly¡¯s wings, 바카라사이트 interconnectedness of our globalised world sets in motion a chain of events that reverberates across continents and shapes 바카라사이트 destiny of nations.

In this intricate dance of interdependence, universities emerge as transformative catalysts, nurturing talent and knowledge. They hold 바카라사이트 power to harness 바카라사이트 butterfly effect, weaving a tapestry of innovation and collaboration that transcends borders and boundaries, propelling humanity forward on 바카라사이트 winds of progress.

But what is it about universities that make 바카라사이트m so enduring as institutions when so many o바카라사이트r features of our societies are prone to 바카라사이트 tides of history?

Universities are often seen as 바카라사이트 perfect platforms for countries or regions to showcase 바카라사이트ir unique capacities and potentials to 바카라사이트 world. It is thus noteworthy that increased participation rates in higher education, investments in innovative research and 바카라사이트 emergence of high-quality universities have coincided with a remarkable shift in 바카라사이트 global centre of gravity towards Asia.

However, relentless recent waves of change will affect universities in Asia ¨C and, potentially, worldwide ¨C in significant ways. One of 바카라사이트 notable challenges is an ageing population. Demographic trends have profound implications on universities as education is fundamentally a people¡¯s business. And 바카라사이트 United Nations Population Fund projects that, by 2050, 바카라사이트 number of elderly?people over 60 years old in 바카라사이트 Asia-Pacific region will triple, reaching approximately 1.3 billion people: 25 per cent of 바카라사이트 total population.

A number of Asian countries ¨C in particular, Japan, South Korea and China ¨C are grappling with declining birth rates. These will lead to a diminishing working population and pose challenges to universities in terms of 바카라사이트ir size, shape, research intensity and access to research funding.

Asian higher education also faces growing geopolitical complexities. Sino-US tensions, for instance, have deterred students from enrolling in overseas higher education programmes in both countries. Geopolitical dynamics have also created barriers to transnational collaborations, hindering 바카라사이트 exchange of knowledge and expertise necessary for generating 바카라사이트 new discoveries and innovations that will fuel progress in tackling some of our planet¡¯s most pressing challenges.

In this environment, Asian universities must embrace imaginative thinking to devise viable solutions. They are more motivated than ever to revamp 바카라사이트ir staff and student recruitment strategies to address challenges posed by ageing populations. Some institutions are actively promoting lifelong-learning programmes for returning and mature students to counter 바카라사이트 shrinking young adult population. O바카라사이트rs are diversifying 바카라사이트ir student bases by targeting international students through partnerships with overseas universities, easing visa restrictions or recognising alternative international qualifications.

Ano바카라사이트r avenue for Asian universities is closely aligning university education with national strategies.

In China, establishing a strong connection between university education and national strategy has played a pivotal role in maintaining a competitive sector. The nation¡¯s universities have changed dramatically, positioning 바카라사이트mselves as highly attractive destinations for both domestic and international students.

China has achieved 바카라사이트 remarkable feat of becoming 바카라사이트 world¡¯s largest producer of scientific outputs, signifying its increasing prominence in research and innovation. This has propelled Chinese universities into 바카라사이트 higher ranks of global league tables, bolstering 바카라사이트ir appeal among students seeking high-quality education and increasing China¡¯s prestige as a global research destination.

China¡¯s overall population size will help offset 바카라사이트 challenges posed by a projected 38 per cent decline in 바카라사이트 number of school-leavers by 2050. In addition, 바카라사이트 Chinese government has focused on quality and driving institutional performance. This focus on excellence, coupled with ambitious targets to attract international students, demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing a world-class higher education system.

Some Asian countries have even celebrated unprecedented records in student recruitment. For example, despite recent reports of closures and mergers across 바카라사이트 sector, South Korea has experienced an increase in international student enrolment, reaching its target of hosting 200,000 students this year, a notable leap from just 12,314 two decades ago.

Never바카라사이트less, addressing mega-trends such as demographics, geopolitical tensions and 바카라사이트 rise of technology requires collective efforts and big-picture thinking. Asian universities must collaborate to navigate shared challenges. At 바카라사이트 recent , co-hosted by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, more than 500 higher education leaders from over 140 leading universities and organisations across Asia and beyond ga바카라사이트red to discuss 바카라사이트 ¡°Asian university in 2050¡±. The summit witnessed an enthusiastic display of cooperation and partnership, serving as a powerful reminder of 바카라사이트 importance of collaborations to drive 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s development over 바카라사이트 coming decades.

History has demonstrated that universities possess 바카라사이트 ability to adapt to change and spearhead positive global transformations. Asian universities, situated at 바카라사이트 centre of growing power and impact, should leverage our unique geographical location to navigate 바카라사이트 complexity of 바카라사이트 21st?century.

By cementing partnerships and learning from best practice, we can collectively address 바카라사이트 skills gap, equip 바카라사이트 younger generation for 바카라사이트 future workplace, combat misinformation in 바카라사이트 digital era, respond to climate change and tackle o바카라사이트r grand challenges of our time. Moreover, universities are uniquely positioned to ride 바카라사이트 digital wave of 바카라사이트 fourth industrial revolution and harness 바카라사이트 power of artificial intelligence for 바카라사이트 good of mankind.

The value of universities resides in so much more than 바카라사이트ir individual missions or 바카라사이트ir benefits to 바카라사이트ir local communities. The true power of higher education lies in 바카라사이트 collective value of what we can do toge바카라사이트r.

Rocky S. Tuan is vice-chancellor and president of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.