Research Policy and the Changing Role of the State in the Asia Pacific Region

Abstract

This chapter explores recent changes in national and institutional research policy for higher education in the Asia Pacific region. It particularly concentrates on the role of the state in university research and development, public funding of university research, priority-setting for research, university research links with industry, and commercialisation of university research outputs. While the main emphasis is on the Asia Pacific region, the discussion is set in a broader international context, with greater emphasis being put on national policies rather than institutional policies. Due to a lack of detailed English language documentation and reliable statistics for many countries of the region, the discussion concentrates mainly on those countries with well-developed innovation systems, where information and statistics are readily available. The term 'research policy' is used in this chapter to refer to guidelines and decision expressed in directives, regulations or laws with regard to the funding and regulation of research activities, whereas the term 'research management' refers to implementation of research policy, including determination of strategic directions, allocation of resources and roles, and monitoring and evaluation of performance. [Author abstract, ed]