Asia and the Pacific region are home to approximately 5990 universities, with more than half of them privately funded and managed. However, most global university rankings and rating systems are more suited for the advanced economies and universities in the developed West than the developing Asia and Africa. For example, these ranking systems prioritize factors such as academic research, infrastructure, academic leadership, and internationalization, which are not necessarily a priority for universities in developing countries. To evolve a different paradigm of rating and ranking of universities in the developing world, there is a need for much more intense collaboration among Asian universities.
A pan-Asian university brotherhood and intense collaboration among universities can benefit Asia and the Pacific region in many ways. Firstly, it can enhance educational quality by facilitating the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices, which can help improve the quality of education offered by each institution. Additionally, collaboration can lead to more research and innovation in different fields, promoting real-life and applied research that solves immediate economic, social, cultural, ecological, and technological problems in the immediate environments of these developing nations.
Secondly, building cultural bridges among universities can promote mutual understanding and respect among developing nations of Asia, as well as between different cultures. This can lead to increased collaboration and exchange between universities and learners, facilitating cross-cultural learning and the sharing of different perspectives. By fostering academic and cultural exchange programs, universities can facilitate the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences, which can contribute to greater mutual understanding and respect among Asian nations.
Thirdly, collaborative efforts among universities can help address societal challenges facing Asia, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. By working together, universities can identify and tackle complex challenges that require multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral solutions. For example, tackling soil erosion, mega-storms, and cold waves in South and Southeast Asia is a common challenge that universities can take up collaboratively for research, innovation, and solutions.
Last but not the least, a pan-Asian university brotherhood can help strengthen regional integration by promoting collaboration and cooperation across borders. This can lead to increased economic and social integration, facilitating greater mobility of students and faculty, and the exchange of ideas and technologies.
Therefore, the development of a different paradigm of rating and ranking of universities in the developing world is necessary, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities of developing nations. Pan-Asian university brotherhoods can be the way forward in enhancing the quality of education, promoting research and innovation, building cultural bridges, addressing societal challenges, and strengthening regional integration.
