Using CLA to Move from Project to Progress in Laos

Inflation coupled with currency devaluation has made life hard for Laos citizens, and an exodus of young people seeking better opportunities abroad casts a shadow over the country’s future. These trends highlight the need for change in the higher education sector which could catalyze national socioeconomic development. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Laos struggle to meet labor market demand and develop the future workforce. University enrollment has plummeted as students opt to work or emigrate. Other ASEAN universities are more highly recognized and contribute more to national growth than Lao universities. Lao HEIs need a “reboot” to become increasingly adaptive, student focused, industry engaged, and innovative. RTI was uniquely situated to address this challenge though the Local Solutions Support (LSS) project. LSS began as a straightforward capacity development project, but it utilized collaboration, learning, and adaptive (CLA) approaches to achieve significant progress led by the Ministry of Education and Sport (MOES) and four public universities. Working adaptively with our university partners at the forefront has led to systemic change in Lao higher education. Lao universities now collaborate more with government, business, and civic partners as well as with regional and global universities. By embracing an adaptive mindset and integrating tactical CLA approaches within our project, Lao universities are positioned to lead a new era of higher education quality, autonomy, and equity. As universities continue to refine their self-identified and locally led strategies, they will serve as catalysts for positive change, ensuring they have the knowledge, resources, and capacity to thrive.