World Bank2023-07-212023-07-212023-07-21https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/40059Higher education systems in South Asia have undergone significant changes in the past two decades. Each country in the region has experienced a rapid rise in university enrollment, fueled by demographic growth and the resulting expansion of secondary education. However, in the absence of sufficient financial resources to accommodate increasing student numbers, most higher education institutions are facing daunting challenges. Unlike the recent evolution in Europe and East Asia, South Asian higher education systems and institutions have made little progress in working together so far, notwithstanding the positive results of a few noteworthy partnerships, such as the creation of the South Asian University. The ability of South Asian nations to work together in the higher education sphere will, to a significant extent, determine their capacity to support the development efforts of their respective countries in an effective and dynamic manner. Against this backdrop, the main objective of this report is to explore the potential for increased regional collaboration and integration in higher education in the South Asia region.en-USCC BY-NC 3.0 IGOHIGHER EDUCATIONREGIONAL COOPERATIONINTEGRATIONENABLING FACTORSReportWorld Bank10.1596/40059