Project Plan
1. Title: UNESCO Regional Seminar on the Implications of WTO/GATS on
Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific
2. Date: 27(Wed.)-29(Fri.) April, 2005
3. Venue: Seoul, Republic of Korea
4. Co-organizers
1. UNESCO (Division of Higher Education)
2. Korean National Commission for UNESCO
In collaboration with:
Korean Educational Development Institute
Korean Council for University Education
5. Background
In the Asia-Pacific region, the issue concerning the implications of WTO/GATS
on higher education has become urgent as many countries are facing the
challenges from the international trade and cross-border provision of higher
education. Discussions of international trade in higher education have become
polarized according to countries’ interest and culture. Exporters of higher
education assert that it will increase the variety and amount of education services.
Importers warn that WTO/GATS will undermine the public education system and
destroy intangible values with which higher education has been contributing to
the establishment and development of its society.
The implications of WTO/GATS on higher education should be viewed from
an educational aspect, not solely by economical one. As the internationalization of
higher education develops, a scheme for a bi- or multi-lateral cooperation
concerning quality assurance, accreditation and recognition of qualifications has
become an important issue. This initiative is within UNESCO lead by two
Forums set up to address the challenges of globalization. The UNESCO Forum on
Higher Education, Research and Knowledge aims to widen the understanding of
systems and structures of higher education, research and knowledge, with
particular focus on developing countries, providing a platform for debate. The
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UNESCO Global Forum on International Quality Assurance, Accreditation and
the Recognition of Qualifications responds to the growing demands of the
international community to have UNESCO proactive in the debates on borderless
higher education and trade in higher education and the related key issues of
quality and recognition. Related to this, UNESCO is preparing the Guidelines on
Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education, jointly with OECD, which
will contribute toward ensuring a quality higher education in the globalized world.
From these perspectives and within the framework of UNESCO’s main ideas
on higher education, this seminar will deal with urgent challenges in higher
education, development of research and knowledge system at the national,
regional and international levels.
6. Participants
Participants will consist of senior researchers/scholars, senior university decisionmakers (Vice Chancellor or the like), senior government officials from related
ministries. The tentative composition of participants is as follows:
- 11 members of Regional Scientific Committee in Asia and the Pacific
- 5 international and regional experts
- 4 Korean experts
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2 UNESCO representatives, and staff of the Korean National Commission for
UNESCO, the Korean Educational Development Institute and the Korean
Council for University Education
Experts from UNCTAD, OECD, Swiss Universities, and various stakeholders
including private companies
7. Objectives
The purpose of this seminar is to identify the implications of WTO/GATS for higher
education and research policies, to share the experiences among countries and
regions, and to seek for a measure to enhance cooperation and exchange at the
regional level through joint research and cooperative projects in relevant areas.
8. Expected Outcome
- Enhanced awareness on the political implications of WTO/GATS in higher
education among researchers and policy-makers;
- Identified current issues concerning quality assurance and mutual recognition of
qualifications in this region;
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Findings of measures to enhance cooperation and exchange in higher education
and research at the regional level; and
Strengthened network and cooperation among stakeholders at the regional level
Identified areas for further research
Adoption of Action Plan
9. Country paper
. Each country paper should address the following issues:
- Types of institutions that provide cross-border higher education services in Asia
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and the Pacific, and by what modalities;
Identification and profiling of Asian-Pacific institutions exporting higher
education services, their mode of supply, programme content, and targets;
How cross-border delivery of higher education services is affecting access to
educational opportunities for different categories of people;
The potential impact of GATS on teaching and learning, quality of education,
research and community service orientation on the part of universities, academic
freedom and employment opportunities; and
The regulatory frameworks under which cross-border provision of higher
education services is taking place.
10. Contact Person
Mr. Min-Chul SHIM
Associate Expert
UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge
Division of Higher Education
UNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, FRANCE
Tel) 33 1 4568 1090 Fax) 33 1 4568 5627
E-mail) mc.shim@unesco.org
Ms. Soonho CHOI
Programme Specialist
Education Team
Korean National\Commission for UNESCO
C.P.O. 64, Seoul, 100-810 KOREA
Tel) 82 2 755 1105 #510 Fax) 82 2 755 7477
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E-mail) shchoi@unesco.or.kr