Global, Local, National in the Asia-Pacific

Abstract

This chapter introduces the themes and chapters of Higher Education in Asia-Pacific: Strategic responses to globalization. It begins with the definition of the Asia-Pacific region—the long arc of coastal nations from Southeast Asia to Japan plus the adjoining nations of the Western Pacific—and a statistical overview of population, economy and education. This chapter then summarizes the main elements in the globalization of higher education and looks at the global, local and national dimensions in turn. Global convergence has changed the context of national systems and individual institutions and is transforming Asia-Pacific higher education as a whole. It brings with it a new set of freedoms..