Education hubs: international, regional and local dimensions of scale and scope

Education hubs are important new developments. They represent a new generation of cross-border education activities where critical mass, co-location and connection between international, regional and local universities, students, research institutes and private industry are key. Different scales (city, zone and country) and types (student, talent, knowledge) of education hubs exist. The rationales, actors and expected outcomes vary whether the education hub is more oriented to increased higher education opportunities for students, education and training to build a skilled workforce, or the production of knowledge and innovation. Three critical issues are explored in this article: scale, level of engagement and scope of impact. These issues are analysed in relation to the three types of education hubs which are being planned and developed in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.