“Asia’s ability to
compete in a globalized world depends on the readiness of students entering
university, the employability of graduates in the labor market, and
acceleration of innovation, science, and technology for creating new products
and services,” said Jouko Sarvi, Education Practice Leader in ADB’s Regional
and Sustainable Development Department.
The report shows
Asia’s students need to be better prepared for the rigors of higher learning,
including problem solving and critical thinking needed in math and science
studies. The role of education in supporting human resource development is
increasingly in the spotlight as more Asian countries move toward middle income
status and demand grows for skilled labor to support higher economic growth.
The misalignment
between schools, universities and the job market is evident in regional
employment trends. In Mongolia, graduates of vocational training earn more than
graduates of colleges and universities. In Thailand, where the education system
skews toward social science, 80% of firms report difficulties in finding
employees with adequate technical skills. Meanwhile, unemployment among
graduates from top-tier universities in the People’s Republic of China stood at
10% in 2008.
Looking at 15
countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, the report recommends
diversifying higher education options being offered to students, in line with
labor market needs. It also encourages partnerships with other institutions and
the private sector to foster secondary education reform, and better prepare
students for future employment.