Asia

Coverage of higher education in Asia, including universities, policy, and research developments across the region.

Students Studying in Library Hall
Admissions, International

China’s study abroad curve: from expansion to equilibrium under structural pressure

· By H. Yang

China’s study abroad is shifting from growth to stability. In 2025, outbound students (570,600) stay below the 2019 peak. Drivers include mass domestic higher education (9.922 million admissions), improving university quality, weaker ROI, rising costs, geopolitical friction, and declining demographic pressure expected after the 2034 Gaokao peak.

Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Policy, Finance

Uzbekistan introduces U10 – Uzbekistan’s World-Class Universities program and national ranking reform

· By H. Yang

Uzbekistan has introduced the “U10 – Uzbekistan’s World-Class Universities” program to support 10 high-potential institutions with significant research funding and industry-linked scientific clusters, alongside a new national ranking system led by the National Quality Assurance Agency for Education that will tie university performance to funding, strengthen global competitiveness, and improve alignment with labor market needs.

India Taj Mahal
Policy, International

India’s higher education internationalisation: A new era of opportunities for global institutions

· By H. Yang

India's higher education sector is embracing global collaboration, with top UK universities like Southampton, Liverpool, York, and Aberdeen, alongside Australian institutions like UNSW, Deakin, and Wollongong, setting up campuses. This aligns with NEP 2020, offering Indian students access to world-class education while strengthening international partnerships.

Twin Towers Malaysia
Policy, International

UK unveils Malaysia handbook to streamline transnational education partnerships

· By H. Yang

The UK launches a new handbook on April 22, 2026, to help universities establish transnational education programs in Malaysia, offering step-by-step guidance on accreditation and regulation as both countries deepen collaboration and position Malaysia as a regional education hub.

Indonesia National Flag
Policy, International

Indonesia deepens US ties to power science-driven growth

· By Eleanor Shaw

Indonesia is strengthening higher education ties with the US following talks on 16 April, focusing on dual degrees, research collaboration and skills development in key sectors such as semiconductors and healthcare, as part of a broader push to boost global competitiveness and drive a technology-led economy.

Podium
Governance, Research

China’s answer to JCR is changing—but the system behind it isn’t

· By Eleanor Shaw

China’s domestic journal ranking system—long seen as a counterpart to the Journal Citation Reports—has been withdrawn by its official publisher. But as a new platform emerges from the same team, deeper questions are being asked about credibility, control, and the future of research evaluation.

Birkbeck, University of London
International

Birkbeck to open Bengaluru campus as India expands global higher education access

· By Eleanor Shaw

Birkbeck, University of London is set to establish its first overseas campus in Bengaluru after receiving UGC approval, marking a major step in India’s push to attract global universities. The campus will offer University of London degrees at nearly 60% lower cost than in the UK while maintaining the same academic standards, with additional plans for scholarships and AI-integrated teaching. The move is expected to expand access to international education in India and strengthen India–UK higher education collaboration.

Nature Based Education
Governance

Vantara University launches in India with focus on wildlife and veterinary sciences

· By Eleanor Shaw

Vantara University has launched in Jamnagar, India, as a new global institution dedicated to wildlife conservation, veterinary sciences, and applied environmental education.

Study in South Korea Post-study Visa
Policy

South Korea launches 2030 immigration strategy with new visas for skilled workers and international graduates

· By H. Yang

South Korea has launched a 2030 immigration strategy introducing new visas for skilled workers and international graduates while expanding talent retention and regional settlement policies amid demographic decline.

The University of Hong Kong
Research, Workplace

HKU professor steps down after AI-generated references trigger paper retraction

· By Eleanor Shaw

A senior academic at the University of Hong Kong steps down after an investigation finds AI-generated fake references in a journal article, prompting its retraction and raising wider concerns about academic integrity in the use of artificial intelligence.