The Converging Technology Revolution and Human Capital: Potential and Implications for South Asia [World Bank Group, September 2021]

Title:

The Converging Technology Revolution and Human Capital: Potential and Implications for South Asia 

 

Authors:

Bashir, Sajitha; Dahlman, Carl J.; Kanehira, Naoto; Tilmes, Klaus

 

Published:

World Bank Group, 8 September 2021

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/36156

 

Description:

South Asia is heavily impacted by the devastating loss of lives and human capital from the COVID-19 pandemic and the converging technology revolution sweeping the globe. The Converging Technology Revolution and Human Capital: Potential and Implications for South Asia looks at how the region could capitalize on these technologies to accelerate its development of human capital and promote adaptability and resilience to future shocks. The convergence of technological breakthroughs spanning biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science is driven by artificial intelligence, data flows, computing power, and connectivity. These breakthroughs can improve service delivery, productivity, and innovation, but they can also exacerbate inequalities and eliminate people’s agency and empowerment. This report analyzes these trends in the region, offering a comprehensive agenda to exploit the opportunities offered by converging technologies while minimizing the risks to vulnerable populations. It proposes strategies for building public sector capacity and promoting data and technology governance frameworks in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. 

 

World Bank (19 February 2020) - Ready to Learn: Before School, In School, and Beyond School in South Asia [Book]

Title:
Ready to Learn: Before School, In School, and Beyond School in South Asia

Citation:
Beteille, Tara; Tognatta, Namrata; Riboud, Michelle; Nomura, Shinsaku; Ghorpade, Yashodhan. 2020. Ready to Learn: Before School, In School, and Beyond School in South Asia. South Asia Development Forum. Washington, DC: World Bank.
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/33308

Description:
"Countries that have sustained rapid growth over decades have typically had a strong public commitment to expanding education as well as to improving learning outcomes. South Asian countries have made considerable progress in expanding access to primary and secondary schooling, with countries having achieved near-universal enrollment of the primary-school-age cohort (ages 6–11), except for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Secondary enrollment shows an upward trend as well. Beyond school, many more people have access to skill-improving opportunities and higher education today. Although governments have consistently pursued policies to expand access, a prominent feature of the region has been the role played by non-state actors—private nonprofit and for-profit entities—in expanding access at every level of education. Though learning levels remain low, countries in the region have shown a strong commitment to improving learning. All countries in South Asia have taken the first step, which is to assess learning outcomes regularly. Since 2010, there has been a rapid increase in the number of large-scale student learning assessments conducted in the region. But to use the findings of these assessments to improve schooling, countries must build their capacity to design assessments and analyze and use findings to inform policy."