As the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 opens in Seoul, the town stands as an emblem of higher education’s new frontier — a spot the place technology, creativity and culture converge to outline the longer term of studying.
“Seoul embodies the ambition and confidence that define modern higher education — one of the world’s most dynamic innovation hubs where tradition and transformation coexist,” Jessica Turner, chief govt of QS, stated in a current written interview with The Korea Times.
“Korea’s global cultural reach, powered by K-pop and the wider hallyu wave, has redefined how young people around the world imagine opportunity — and that same confidence now runs through its universities.”
The theme of this 12 months’s summit, “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” underscores the defining mission of fashionable higher education.
“Collaboration is no longer optional — it is the currency of resilience,” Turner stated. “To stay relevant, universities must bridge generations, strengthen skills and work together across borders.”
Turner pointed to Asia’s sharply diverging demographics as a key problem shaping the area’s academic priorities.
Countries such as Korea, Japan and China now have median ages within the 40s, underscoring the necessity to counter shrinking workforces by way of larger productiveness, innovation and worldwide partnerships.
In distinction, youthful nations like India, Indonesia and Vietnam, the place the median age stays within the late 20s to early 30s, should flip their demographic benefit into employability and inclusive development.
Reflecting these dynamics, QS not too long ago launched the International Research Network indicator in its rankings to focus on universities that excel by way of various and collaborative global partnerships.
International college students take part in a lecture at Korea University in Seongbuk District, Seoul, on this undated photograph. Courtesy of Korea University
Turner famous that whereas Korea’s higher education system has gained exceptional global visibility, it now stands at a pivotal stage of development.
“Korea leads all OECD nations in tertiary education, with more than 70 percent of young adults aged 25 to 34 holding a university degree, and its institutions rank among the most respected in Asia,” she stated.
One of the nation’s biggest strengths lies in its deep university-industry collaboration.
Partnerships such as Pohang University of Science and Technology and POSCO in supplies analysis, Sungkyunkwan University and Samsung in expertise growth and R&D, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology and Hyundai Heavy Industries in sustainable shipbuilding illustrate how academia and {industry} work hand in hand to drive innovation.
“These are genuine partnerships, not just collaborations on paper,” Turner stated.
Still, she famous that many Korean universities are inclined to collaborate inside acquainted networks, leaving untapped potential past their conventional companions. Expanding ties with establishments in Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa would broaden Korea’s affect and foster extra inclusive global analysis ecosystems.
“The next step for Korea isn’t about working harder, but working wider — building partnerships that enhance both global presence and shared purpose,” she stated.
QS has not too long ago launched new indicators to its rating methodology to raised mirror the evolving priorities of global higher education.
“What we measure should mirror what matters,” Turner stated. “Today’s students — especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha — value sustainability, inclusion and employability. Our updated indicators are designed to capture that broader social impact, not just academic performance.”
She additionally famous that whereas synthetic intelligence (AI) is poised to rework analysis and data manufacturing, it may by no means exchange human creativeness.
“The universities that will thrive are those that teach learners to think critically, ethically and creatively — and to use AI responsibly,” she stated.
Looking forward, Turner emphasised that QS’ mission goes past compiling rankings, focusing as an alternative on fostering evidence-based collaboration.
“Rankings are a valuable language of reputation, but our deeper mission is to use those insights to promote constructive partnership,” she stated.