The introductory chapter of the new publication, Latin America’s New Knowledge Economy: Higher Education, Government, and International Collaboration, is now available for free download. Written by Jorge Balán, senior research scholar and adjunct professor at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, and editor of the book, the chapter provides historical and comparative context and reflects on the major dilemmas that higher education policy in the region has faced. 

Latin America’s New Knowledge Economy: Higher Education, Government, and International Collaboration chronicles the rapid economic growth and social changes that have taken place across the region in recent years, and examines these developments through the lens of higher education. In the book, leading scholars from Latin America and the U.S. explore factors that have been catalysts for higher education reforms such as increased access and equity, emphasis on international study, and investment by foreign universities and corporations. 

Other chapters include: 

• Training the 21st Century Knowledge Workers: Higher Education and Workforce Development in Latin America
• Building Knowledge-based Economies in Latin America: The Role of National Study Abroad Scholarship Programs
• Trends in Student and Academic Mobility: From "Brain Drain" to "Brain Gain" in Latin America
• Toward 100,000 Strong: Western Hemisphere Academic Exchanges
• Academic Research and Advanced Training: Building up Research Universities in Brazil

Visit IIE’s research and publications page to download the free chapter. The book is available for purchase at the IIE Bookstore.