Asia & the Pacific
	Approach The UNESCO Regional Forum Scientific Committee for Asia and the Pacific basically focuses on three points: ‘knowledge systems’, ‘research management’ and ‘higher education and research’. Several Asian countries have difficulties to define the role of the State in higher education, so the Committee sees it as its task to examine the impact of social changes on higher education and research and wants to secure a qualitative restructuring of the sector where necessary. Main themes Policy changes and best practices in different countries Higher education and research Knowledge systems Research management

Members of the Regional Scienfific Committee for Asia and the Pacific Prof. Akira ARIMOTO (Chair) - Japan Prof. Rose Marie SALAZAR-CLEMEÑA (Vice Chair) - The Philippines Prof. V. Lynn MEEK - Australia Prof. Konaiholeva HELU-THAMAN - Tonga Prof. Karuna CHANANA - India Prof. Muhammad Kamil TADJUDIN - Indonesia Prof. Charas SUWANWELA - Thailand Prof. Saran KAUR GILL - Malaysia Prof. Regsuren BAT-ERDENE - Mongolia Main Events: 4th Regional Scientific Committee Meeting for Asia & the Pacific 19-20 January 2006 Jakarta, Indonesia The objective of the 4th Regional Scientific Committee Meeting was to discuss different issues related to higher education in order to develop a research agenda for the region, particularly in the light of the forthcoming Second Regional Research Seminar, to be held in 2007. The discussion also focused on the renewal of the committee as well as the appointment of two new committee members following the resignation of Prof. Wei Yu and Prof. Chong Jae Lee. The meeting was organized in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Jakarta. 3rd Regional Scientific Committee Meeting for Asia & the Pacific 25-26 April 2005 Seoul, Korea The 3rd Regional Scientific Committee Meeting focused on the symposium of GUNI in Asia and Pacific. The committee members presented papers on best practices of knowledge production, research promotion, gender equity and higher education quality. The committee also adopted strategic decisions on the conceptual frameworks of the committee and decided about the content of the next research seminar. 2nd Regional Scientific Committee Meeting for Asia & the Pacific 8-9 September 2003 New Delhi, India The meeting was focused on various presentations made by committee members, elaborated upon country specific backgrounds on Higher Education and Research. Discussions consisted mainly of information sharing and learning each others’ cases. The committee also planned its regional research seminar (held in May 2004) and decided to concentrate on Research System within Higher Education in the region for the first and second cycle of the committee Work (2003 – 2006). This meeting was organized in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in New Delhi. 1st Regional Scientific Committee Meeting for Asia & the Pacific 27-28 February 2003 Bangkok, Thailand The first meeting of the Asia-Pacific Committee was organized in cooperation with the UNESCO Office in Bangkok and was the occasion to present the issues related to Higher Education & Research in the region. Key issues were identified in order to decide of a work plan. The committee agreed to focus its actions on Knowledge Systems, Research Management, and Higher Education and Research.