The study identifies a positive correlation between higher education and good governance. It finds that higher education has multiple purposes; for instance, it transmits not only technical skills but can also influence values and attitudes. It also finds that its scope is broadening from its original focus on elite development to a form of universal education in many countries. It also finds that donor support has varied over the last half century; initially highly valued as a driver of development and supported accordingly, emphasis and resources have shifted towards basic and primary education since the 1980s. Alongside an analysis of global patterns and regional variations, the report includes country case studies from Singapore, Jordan, Namibia and Zimbabwe.