This publication presents a diverse collection written by a well-respected group of speakers and authors which includes government leaders, policy makers, education experts and administrators from all over the higher education world. The papers collected hereunder represent the conference proceedings of the Eurasian Higher Education Leaders' Forum held 20-21 August 2012 at the GSE (Graduate School of Education) at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Forum was set up to further the GSE's aim of bringing together international communities of educators, researchers and leaders who will draw on robust research to address pressing education policy issues and provide innovative, evidence-based advice to policymakers and practitioners both locally and internationally. The presentation speeches, case studies and research articles in this compendium offer unique perspectives on the future of higher education, showcasing the breadth and depth of opinions from different corners of the world. Most papers feature case studies of higher education institutions - and, indeed, faculty - dealing with the demands on higher education brought about by the post-industrial era, globalization and the internationalization of education. The authors examine the issues surrounding education reform and the challenges that institutions face in the 21st century. They raise debates on quality assurance, university autonomy and accountability, university governance, and strategic partnerships of universities. The discussion of these themes in these conference proceedings, their innovative treatment and research methodologies, and the recommendations that the authors make will help policy makers, practitioners and researchers to draw lessons, to make comparisons and to understand how global and regional trends impact higher education internationally. Stakeholders across the field of higher education in the Eurasian sub-continent - and those with personal and academic interests in the region - will find the data and insights of special and particular interest. Keynote speeches in this proceedings include: (1) Educational Policy Achievements in Kazakhstan (Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov); (2) Education Reforms in Kazakhstan (Yerbol Orynbayev); (3) The University: A Center of Learning? (David Bridges); (4) Lessons from an American Quandary Strengthening Shared Governance in Turbulent Times (Robert Zemsky); (5) What Are Universities for in 21st Century (Michael Worton); (6) Challenges for Tertiary Education in the 21st Century (Jamil Salmi). Articles in the proceedings include: (1) A Few Global Trends and Points of Commonality in Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Alan Ruby); (2) The Impact of Standardized Testing on Education Quality: The Case of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 and 2009 (Duishon Shamatov); (3) Understanding Faculty Perceptions of the Current State of Higher Education Governance in Kazakhstan (Aslan Sarinzhipov, Aida Sagintayeva, and Kairat Kurakbayev); (4) Internationalization of University and Learning of University and Learning Process: Web 2.0 Dimensions (Leonids Ribickis, Igors Tipans, and Karlis Valtin); and (5) Reflection on the Development of Chinese Higher Education in the Post-Industrial Era (Serjan Uhibai). Case studies include: (1) Current State and Prospective of University Partnership Using an Example of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (Gulnara Krasnova); (2) International Relations at Universitatea Babes-Bolyai (Ioan-Aurel POP); and (3) International Collaboration of S. Toraigyrov Pavlodar State University: Science with No Boundaries (Serik Omirbayev). Individual papers contain figures and references. [This publication was produced by Nazarbayev University. Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]