Challenges of Education Towards The Realization of ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015

1. Challenges of Education Towards The Realization of ASEAN COMMUNITY 2015 Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub Director General Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education director-general@cpsctech.org

2. The Beginning of ASEAN 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.

3. 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.

4. ASEAN Community 2015 In 2009, ASEAN Nations signed the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2015, to achieve the goal,“One Vision, One Identity, One Community” 4

5. Economic Community Socio-cultural Community Political and Security 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.

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. HE in Cambodia • Higher Education only 30 years old • Variety 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

11. HE in Indonesia • 4 types of Higher Education Institutions • Academic and Vocational tracks • Diploma, Graduate Diploma, Masters, Doctorate, Islamic specialist • Information system and database • Scale and size of the institutions and disparity of capacity • M-I-T Mobility Project

12. 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.

13. 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

14. HE in Myanmar • Mission “ To create an education system that can generate a learning society capable of facing the challenges of the Knowledge Age.” • Introducing new assessment techniques • Current challenge is developing research and developing quality assurance

15. HE in the Philippines& Emerging Trends • Significant Number of Higher Education Institutions • Large College Population • Diversity in Program Offerings • Key Challenge - Supply of Qualified Faculty Emerging Trends: • Ensuring adequate Governance and Management • Rationalization of Quality Assurance Mechanisms in Higher Education • Improving Quality Assurance and Standards • Increasing Access to Higher Education

16. 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

17. HE in Thailand & Emerging Trends • Public and private universities and colleges of higher education offering certificate to doctorates • Several research universities Key Trends: • High Competencies Workforce • Regional Research Leaders • Regional Hub in Higher Education Provision

18. 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

19. 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

20. Educational Initiatives towards ASEAN Community 2015

21. 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 region Unified 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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