Higher Education in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Lao PDR’s higher education sector is developing but needs more capacity, quality, and effectiveness. Undergraduate program enrolment has declined since 2012–2013 due to government decision-making, economic conditions, and underlying demographic trends. The impact of the decline has been more evident among males than females, resulting in an improvement in the sector’s gender parity indices. This chapter addresses various aspects of the higher education sector in Lao PDR, including access, curriculum and assessment, quality, inclusion and equity, leadership and governance, and the role of higher education in promoting development. It also addresses trends and critical challenges for the sector.