Constructing Knowledge Societies

Higher education, or tertiary education, is critical for human development worldwide. In today's lifelong learning framework, tertiary education provides the high-level skills needed for the labour market and offers the essential training for teachers, civil servants, doctors, scientists and social scientists. Universities are a key part of higher education systems but so are technical training institutes, community colleges, nursing schools, research laboratories, and distance learning centres. This book's main focus is the exploration of the role of tertiary education in the development of a country's capacity to better integrate higher education with the world's increasingly knowledge-based economy. It also examines policy options that have the potential to enhance economic growth and reduce poverty.