Topic of the Conference

Conference Background

Over recent decades, higher education systems across Asia have expanded rapidly and moved from the periphery toward greater visibility and influence in the global knowledge economy. As we approach the mid-21st century, universities across the region are facing a convergence of challenges shaped by geopolitical shifts, demographic transitions, the imperative of sustainable development, and rapid advances in digital technologies.

In this changing context, Asian higher education is no longer only “catching up.” It is exploring diverse pathways and contributing distinct models to global dialogue. At the same time, the linear logic of industrial-era education is being challenged by the demand for innovation-driven talent and by ethical and governance questions in a digital age, especially with the disruptive emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). The tension between global competition and regional cooperation further calls for rethinking how Asian universities engage with each other and the world.

Guiding Questions

• How are geopolitical, demographic, sustainability, and technological shifts reshaping universities in Asia?
• What emerging models, pathways, and governance arrangements are taking shape beyond “catching up” narratives?
• How is GenAI transforming teaching, research, and academic work, and what ethical challenges follow?
• How can Asian higher education balance global competition with regional collaboration and mutual learning?