DUBAI — From the Malay Peninsula to the Arabian Peninsula, it is the wise ruler who knows two of the most basic rules of modern economic development.

One is that you won't get much done over time unless you greatly invest in education. The other is that you won't go very far if you only invest in the education of boys.

This is now the consensual Asian regional view. Consider that, just decades ago, when the calculating rulers of Singapore opened the floodgates of higher education to women, they were able to double the size of their educated workforce, to powerful economic benefit. Malaysia, to the north, moved in a similar direction: It now has more women enrolled in universities than men — by far.