Challenges of Education Towards The Realization of ASEAN

COMMUNITY 2015

Dr. Mohammad Naim YaakubDirector GeneralColombo Plan Staff College for Technician Educationdirector-general@cpsctech.org

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by the five original member countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on January 8, 1984, Vietnam on July 28, 1995, Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999.

The Beginning of ASEAN

The ASEAN region has a population of about 600 million, a total area of 4.464 million square kilometers, a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 1.8 trillion US dollar and a total trade of about 2 trillion US dollar.

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ASEAN Community 2015In 2009, ASEAN Nations signed the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2015, to achieve the goal, “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”

ASEAN Community Goals The ASEAN Community shall be established

comprising three pillars, namely political and security community, economic community, and socio-cultural community that are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.

Political and

Security Community

Economic Community

Socio-cultural

Community

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ASEAN Community Education Objectives• creating a knowledge based society; • achieving universal access to primary education;• promoting early child care and development; and• enhancing awareness of ASEAN to youths through

education and activities to build an ASEAN identity based on friendship and cooperation.

Actions• In close collaboration with the Southeast Asia

Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and the ASEAN University Network (AUN)

• Promote and continue education networking in various levels of educational institutions

• Enhance and support student and staff exchanges and professional interactions

• Create research clusters among ASEAN institutions of higher learning

Emerging Trends and State of Higher Education (HE) in ASEAN Countries

Brunei DarussalamEmerging Trends in HE

3 HEI’s offering certificate, diploma and degrees

Introduction of ‘Discovery Year’Vision 2035 “ to build a first class

education system that provides opportunities for every citizen and residence…”

Aiming for 40% participation rate

HE in CambodiaHigher Education only 30 years oldVariety of degrees and academic

awards HE and TVET HEIs are supervised by

12 different ministries or government institutions

Privatization and quality identified as key issues

HE in Indonesia4 types of Higher Education InstitutionsAcademic and Vocational tracksDiploma, Graduate Diploma, Masters,

Doctorate, Islamic specialistInformation system and databaseScale and size of the institutions and

disparity of capacityM-I-T Mobility Project

HE in Lao PDREmerging Trends

160 colleges and 5 universities offering higher diplomas, bachelors, masters and PhDs - of which 77 HEI’s are private

Highlights include recent increase of general education to 12 years

Key Thrusts: Producing good quality human resources Contributing to the nation’s development Developing appropriate higher education policies Providing fair access to education Relevance, quality and efficiency Governance and financing.

HE in MalaysiaEmerging Trends

Mixture of public and private universities, colleges, foreign universities, polytechnics, and community colleges

Aiming for World Class Status by 2020 7 Strategic Thrusts:

- widening access and equity- improving quality of teaching and learning-Enhancing research and innovation- Strengthening higher education institutions- Intensifying internationalisation- Enculturation of lifelong learning- Reinforcing delivery systems of the Ministry

HE in MyanmarMission “ To create an education system that

can generate a learning society capable of facing the challenges of the Knowledge Age.”

Introducing new assessment techniquesCurrent challenge is developing research and

developing quality assurance

HE in the Philippines& Emerging Trends

Significant Number of Higher Education Institutions Large College Population Diversity in Program Offerings Key Challenge - Supply of Qualified FacultyEmerging Trends: Ensuring adequate Governance and Management Rationalization of Quality Assurance Mechanisms in Higher

Education Improving Quality Assurance and Standards Increasing Access to Higher Education

HE in Singapore & Emerging Trends

Internationalization as a matter of bold national policy Ability-driven education system Degree program, diploma & certificate courses Highlights include aim 30% subsidized places by 2015 and

Quality Assurance Framework Key Trends: Increasing cohort participation rates Enhancing continuing education and training landscapes Maintaining affordability of higher education Cross-border higher education ASEAN Credit Transfer system Building up research clusters

HE in Thailand & Emerging Trends

Public and private universities and colleges of higher education offering certificate to doctorates

Several research universitiesKey Trends:High Competencies WorkforceRegional Research LeadersRegional Hub in Higher Education Provision

HE in Vietnam & Emerging Trends

Junior colleges, universities, institutions and research institutes offering Vocational, Bachelor, Master and Doctorate courses

Current challenges include lack of academic staff and forging links to industry

Key Trends: Structural adjustment New programs and teaching/learning methods Workforce development - lecturing staff and managers Increase in research activities New financial mechanisms Increasing autonomy, social accountability and

competitiveness Increasing international integration and competitiveness

Challenges in Higher Education among ASEAN

Lack of qualified faculty staff Limited experience of quality assurance

processes Ensuring equitable access for all

students Geographic spread and diversity of

universities Lack of infrastructures Increase usage of English language

Educational Initiatives towards ASEAN Community 2015

Regional Accreditation (APACC)• Accreditation is very important in higher education• National frameworks on qualifications and

accreditation systems must be required among the ASEAN nations

• The Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), aims to accredit and certify TVET institutions through the standardization and harmonization of education and training systems across national borders in the regionUnified Education Framework

• Establish ASEAN standards for HEI’s including curriculum, equipment and facilities

• Revise curriculum and delivery modes in all programs to meet labor market needs

• A unified curriculum in the ASEAN region is highly recommended

Develop Quality of Education• Strengthened collaboration with other regional and

international educational organizations to enhance the quality of education

• Quality assurance, accountability and qualification frameworks

• The need for internationally recognized standards in education among and between nations has become urgent

• Greater emphasis on technical and vocational education and training.

Scholarship for students / Faculty Exchange• more programs on scholarship grants on students from all

the regions

• develop their potential and equip them with skills that will enable them to confidently step into the new millennium

• competent teaching force is maintained to deliver quality education through educating teachers with advanced competencies

• Promote academic exchange and student mobility

Regional Skills Competition• Encourage the participation in the conduct of skills

competitions such as the ASEAN Skills Competition to support workforce development and to achieve regional standards competency

• Enhance the quality and skills of workers in all ASEAN Member Countries

Increase usage in English language

• Language is the most important key towards the development of Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN)

• An important tool of communication of ASEAN Community 2015

• In order to fulfill the three pillars of the ASEAN community, education, especially on English is needed

E-Learning/Online/Distance /Open Learning• The role of the internet in communicating knowledge

• Increase access at the higher education through open learning

• Distance learning being transformed by ICT

Universal Education ( access, equity and quality )• ASEAN countries provide free education to all students

• Education in Brunei Darussalam is free of charge for all citizens from the age of 5 years to the university level.

• Asian countries have tremendous success in expanding access to primary and secondary schooling.

• Ensuring the quality of education

ASEAN Community must have a vision and must come to agree upon common shared goals, that

bind us together, and not drive us apart.

Together we can reach ASEAN Community 2015

Thank you for your participation and attention