South-East Asia is a region of vast development diversity but also many commonalities. And the development of higher education in the region, stemmed from its different historical background is changing rapidly towards their respective socio-economic needs. The publication is a joint research study by UNESCO Bangkok and Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) to facilitate and enhance knowledge sharing and learning on higher education in South-East Asia. The research uses case studies from eight countries including Cambodia (Chealy Chet), Indonesia (Nizam), Lao PDR (Khamphone Xay Som Phou), Malaysia (Morshidi Sirat), Philippines (Andrew Gonzalez FSC), Singapore (Jason Tan), Thailand (Varaporn Bovornsiri) and Viet Nam (Ngo Doan Dai) to provide in-depth analysis of their higher education systems. Each case study addresses key issues on higher education including higher education reform; access and diversification; governance and management of higher education institutions; changes in academic profession and academic programs; research capacities; private higher education; internationalization; accreditation and quality assurance; and the challenges for the future. The situation analysis of higher education in South-East Asian countries shows a much diversified picture in individual countries yet at the same time they are faced with similar challenges. It is found that the development of higher education in South-East Asia is tied very closely to political and economic development in individual countries. In the more developed economies, the focuses of higher education are diversification, commercialization, and internationalization. For the less developed economies, there are more diversified needs ranging from access to higher education, funding, training of faculties, and reforms on curricula and governance. For both, massification seems to be the trend ahead yet there are still problems to solve such as balancing the budget, maintaining standards, and the rapidly changing social demands. The joint effort by UNESCO Bangkok and SEAMEO provides an opportunity for analyses of themes and issues relating to higher education in South-East Asia. It also provides valuable lessons to be shared across nations. And there is a general consensus that within the South-East Asian higher education community, closer cooperation is beneficial. Future trends in the development of higher education in South-East Asia will become progressively similar with increasing globalization and mobility. It is believed that there will be more calls for institutional autonomy, financial diversification and quality control, and an ever growing demand for access to higher education. "Higher Education in South-East Asia: An Overview" (Molly N. N. Lee and Stephen Healy) is also included. Individual case studies contain references. (Contains 50 tables, 8 figures, and 1 diagram.) [This document was published by the UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education. Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]