For UNESCO, international mobility in higher education is a means to promote peace and security through strengthening ties in education, science and culture. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, mobility is also an opportunity to develop our individual competencies and global awareness.

Mobility is defined as the physical or virtual movement of individuals outside their country for the purpose of studying, researching, teaching, or working (Global Convention, 2019). In other words, mobility involves the movement of learners, but also the mobility of courses, programmes, and institutions. Given increasing mobility worldwide, the comparability, recognition and quality assurance of qualifications has become a growing area of concern, in particular in countries where administrative systems are weak. APNNIC plays a crucial role in building the capacity of higher education systems, setting standards and sharing authoritative information to facilitate student mobility.

 

APNNIC’s role in student mobility

In terms of student mobility, the Asia-Pacific region is the most mobile region in the world with over X.X million outbound students each year (UIS, ). Increasingly, students from different world regions as well as within Asia-Pacific make the Asia-Pacific region their study destination. As a result, questions about the recognition practices of countries in the region are critical. Drawing on the Tokyo Convention, recognition policies and practices should be transparent, coherent, reliable, fair, and non-discriminatory.

APNNIC facilitates mobility by promoting access to accurate information and ensuring fair and transparent recognition practices among Parties to the Tokyo Convention. The network upholds and assists the practical implementation of Tokyo Convention by the competent recognition authorities. Fair recognition practices are a key enabler of student mobility, including by providing access to higher education, use of an academic title, and access to employment opportunities subject to the laws and regulations of a given country..

Global flow of tertiary-level students