Human resource development in the Asia-Pacific region: Implications for Australia

Educational development has played a role in rapid economic development in East and Southeast Asia. Although serious deficiencies remain in the educational systems of some countries of the region, others are providing a challenge to our educational concepts. Australia faces problems in common with countries of the region, including the need to provide greater equality of educational opportunity to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to find the appropriate disciplinary mix in tertiary education. The massive growth of the numbers with secondary and higher education in the region will provide opportunities to market our education, pose issues for Australian immigration policy, and provide both risks and opportunities in building a favourable image of Australia.