Thomas Rosenbaum

Asia's Imperative: Educating the Fastest-Growing Middle Class in History

Kirk Wagar, Gene Block, Brian Rogove, Thomas Rosenbaum, Lee Tran

A panel of academic and industry leaders discusses the strategic necessity of expanding U.S. higher education access to Asia's growing middle class, which is projected to reach 3.2 billion people by 2030. Speakers from UCLA and Caltech highlight how international students serve as critical revenue sources for public institutions while addressing systemic barriers such as English proficiency gaps and restrictive visa policies. The dialogue concludes by emphasizing educational exchange as a vital soft power tool for maintaining global diplomatic ties and driving innovation amidst rising political scrutiny.