Navigating Identity and Opportunity in the APAC Region
By Jeroen Prinsen, Executive Director (Asia Pacific), QS Quacquarelli Symonds
I’ve frequently found myself contemplating the nature of regional belonging. What does it mean to be part of the Asia Pacific? Is it a geographic label, a cultural mosaic, or a strategic alliance? And in the context of higher education and global engagement, does APAC represent a unified identity or a constellation of distinct ambitions?
The Asia Pacific region is vast, diverse and dynamic. It spans the economic powerhouses of East Asia, the emerging innovation hubs of Southeast Asia and the resource-rich landscapes of Oceania. Unlike Europe, APAC does not have a singular political or cultural framework that binds it. There is no Erasmus, no shared regulatory body, no common language. And yet, there is a growing sense of interdependence driven by trade, technology, education, and the shared challenges of climate, migration and geopolitical tension.
Australia, often seen as a bridge between the West and the East, embodies this duality. It is deeply connected to the Anglosphere, yet increasingly reliant on its Asian neighbours for students, research collaboration and economic growth. This tension between global alignment and regional integration is not unique to Australia; it is a defining feature of the APAC experience.
In higher education, we face a similar crossroads. The region is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing student populations, yet also some of the most uneven access to quality education. World class universities from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Australia are all represented in the Top 50 QS World University Rankings with institutions in emerging markets striving for recognition and resources not far behind improving at accelerated rates. The question is not just how we grow, but how we grow together.
At QS, we’ve observed a shift in student sentiment. When an international student considers studying in APAC, are they choosing a region or a country? Are they drawn to the safety and lifestyle of Australia, the innovation of South Korea, the affordability of Malaysia, or the prestige of Japan? And if they are choosing APAC, what does that mean to them? Is it about opportunity, diversity, or proximity to the future?
Our data from the QS International Student Survey shows that students are increasingly pragmatic. They apply to multiple institutions across multiple countries, weighing not just academic reputation but visa policies, post-study work rights and geopolitical stability. APAC must compete not just on quality, but on clarity; on what it stands for as a region.
One attempt to define this came with the QS Asia Rankings, which introduced metrics tailored to regional realities such as inbound mobility, faculty diversity, and international collaboration. These are not just numbers; they are reflections of values. They speak to a belief that APAC’s strength lies in its openness, its adaptability and its willingness to learn across borders.
Mobility in APAC is not as seamless as in Europe, but it is no less transformative. Programmes that exemplify this include the New Colombo Plan (Australia), JASSO Scholarships (Japan), Global Korea Scholarship GKS, and the ASEAN Intra Mobility for Students (AIMS). These initiatives foster not just knowledge, but empathy. They build bridges between cultures, challenge assumptions and prepare students to lead in a world that is increasingly interconnected yet deeply fragmented.
And yet, challenges remain. Visa restrictions, political tensions and uneven funding threaten to slow progress. The rise of nationalism and protectionism in some parts of the region risks undermining the very openness that defines APAC’s appeal. If we are to build a truly regional identity in higher education, we must confront these contradictions head-on.
The latest edition of the QS Best Student Cities exemplifies the increased appeal of Higher Education in the APAC region. Seoul taking first place followed by Tokyo and 10 APAC cities featuring in the Top 20.
We will be gathering together in Seoul in November at one of the region’s largest Higher Education events, the QS Higher Education Summit Asia Pacific, now in its 22nd year, with the theme ‘Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific’. As leaders, educators and innovators, how do we shape the APAC story, not just as a region of economic promise, but as a force for academic excellence, social progress, global understanding and ready to develop future job creators.
We must ask ourselves: What does APAC stand for in the global higher education landscape? Is it a collection of markets, or a community of purpose? Can we move beyond competition to collaboration, beyond proximity to partnership?
Let us embrace our diversity, but also define our unity. Let us build a regional identity that is not imposed, but inspired by the students we serve, the research we conduct and the future we imagine together.
