Access means ensuring equitable access to tertiary education institutions based on merit, capacity, efforts and perseverance. Post-secondary opportunities for underrepresented groups such as indigenous peoples, cultural, ethnic and linguistic minorities; immigrants; refugees; the disabled; and women are key. Lifelong education, learning that can take place at any time, with due recognition of previously acquired skills through opportunities for adults retraining for the workforce; school drop outs; and second- chance learners are also central.

In the Education for All Framework, tertiary education institutions plays an important role in assuring learning opportunities to those who come out of basic education. This capacity is especially important in the new information age. Higher education also provides new knowledge to promoting quality basic education learning and teaching.

As demand for access has increased exponentially, flexible and diversified systems - and institutions - of post-secondary education and training have become essential. Many areas are needed to meet this challenge: policy-making, institutional governance, academic staff development, curriculum, teaching and delivery. Distanc