Abstract

As is the case in the Nordic countries, universities in Southeast Asia are expected to act in a responsible manner by fostering greater participation in higher education across different social groups and by promoting regional development. To date, however, few studies have investigated such important aspects within the context of emerging economies undergoing considerable political, social and economic changes. Our study setting is Indonesia, a country with large socio-economic asymmetries that is undergoing the historical transition from an elite to a mass higher education system. The chapter provides evidence of the roles played by different types of universities located in specific local settings, in addition to the interplay between policy frameworks at the national and local levels and university policies, strategies and academic initiatives. In so doing, we relate and contrast the findings to the situation across the Nordic countries and provide important lessons and recommendations going forward.