One Globe - Uniting Knowledge Communities 2012

Over the next several decades, South Asia will play an important part in creation of a 21st Century “Knowledge” economy. With nearly 1.6 billion people, it is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population. The region is expected to add 40% to the growth of the world’s working age population (15-64) in the next few decades. This from a region that is also home to 40% of the world’s poor.

Come join leaders from business, government, think tanks, private equity, industry associations, policy makers, entrepreneurs, and academia from around the world. Listen, discuss and learn about one of the most pressing challenges in the 21st century, that of creating a truly knowledge based economy across South Asia.

“Knowledge and skills are critical determinants of a country's economic growth and standard of living. Quality, merit-based, equitable, efficient tertiary education and research are essential parts of this transformation. Improved tertiary education and national innovations can help a developing country progress toward sustainable achievements in the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those goals related to all levels of education, health, and gender equity.” – The World Bank

Within South Asia, India’s education sector alone is estimated to be about US$40 billion and expected to be over US$100 billion by 2018. With over 230 million students currently enrolled in school and higher education, India has one of the world’s largest student populations. With 54% of India’s 1.2 billion people under the age of 25, India expects this “demographic dividend” to continue to propel its high growth rates in the coming decades. For India and the rest of South Asia, to ensure its “demographic dividend” they need to invest and expand their education capacities and knowledge based infrastructure at an accelerated pace in the coming decade.

If you are an educator, government official, investor, policy maker, entrepreneur, university, N