A World Bank official says South Korea’s and Singapore’s focus on higher education was the driving force behind the two nation's rapid development.

Vice President of the East Asia and Pacific Region at the World Bank James Adams said in a report announced in Tokyo, Japan that university education and vocational training play an important role in the transition of a developing or an emerging nation into a developed country. He cited South Korea and Singapore as examples.

The World Bank report said higher learning in East Asian nations played an important role in improving productivity.