Abstract

This paper seeks to understand how cross border higher education is structured in ASEAN. It also asks how policies on cross border higher education have impacted development and social integration in the region. The first part of this paper assesses joint initiatives by ASEAN to co-operate in cross border education. The second part of this paper analyses how higher education is structured in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. It examines the strategies that the three countries have relied on, to promote cross border education. It also investigates the experiences of ASEAN citizens who have undertaken cross border education in these three countries. The third part of this paper evaluates ASEAN’s regional policy on cross border education, and analyses findings from Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The fourth and final part of this paper assesses how cross border education has impacted development and social integration in the region. It makes policy recommendations as to how cross border education policy can be refined, to facilitate development and social integration.