Delivering on the promises of tertiary education in low- and middle-income countries: risks, sustainability and inclusion

The aim of expanding access to tertiary education is based on its three promises;that it will support the development of individual capabilities, develop workforce capacity to promote economic development, and strengthen social cohesion. In this chapter, we review massification across three education systems and identify traps in achieving the promises of tertiary education in systems beset by social inequalities. We argue delivering on these three promises is not necessarily a natural consequence of increased access. Rather, policymakers should seek to balance and maximize the three promises of tertiary education, especially when navigating a complex and shifting post-COVID global landscape. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.