ASIA: Crisis won't deter spending on higher education

Countries in South, South-West and Central Asia have decided to increase public spending on higher education notwithstanding the global financial crisis, reports The Hindu. This resolve to ensure that it does not suffer for want of funds was made at the conclusion of a two-day, sub-regional conference last week.

Adopting the resolution at the preparatory meeting of the region for the World Conference on Higher Education, to be held in Paris in mid-2009, members said there was need to explore alternatives to augment available resources. They decided to encourage all stakeholders in local communities to participate in resource mobilisation.

Also, they favoured expansion of higher education through national and regional funding. Participating countries said possibilities of expanding private initiatives-consistent with public objectives-must be explored.
Full report on the Intellasia site