1 September 2019  Issue No: 564

In many ways, the term ‘knowledge diplomacy’ emerged as a counter-balance to notions of soft power. Some international higher education initiatives may be based on competitiveness and dominance, but this is certainly not true of all. It is imperative that the difference between higher education as an instrument of soft power and knowledge diplomacy is clear.

Prosecutors have carried out raids on five universities and facilities linked to allegations that the daughter of South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s current nominee for justice minister was ‘wrongly’ cited as the author of a medical research paper and may have used that citation to gain admission to prestigious Korea University in Seoul.

We need to rethink internationalisation of higher education to make it more equitable, inclusive and sustainable – and improve how we share the benefits of internationalisation experiences. The focus needs to be on caring about individuals, human values and society rather than the quantitative results of internationalisation.

A recent Global Forum highlighted the need to take action to defend institutional autonomy and academic freedom, attacks on which threaten not only the quality of higher education but democracy itself. Safeguarding and developing democracy will require continued cooperation between public authorities and civil society, including the academic community.

Through networking with international scholars, Ugandan student Ritah Arishaba has been able to co-found Strong Women Strong Love, an initiative delivering feminine hygiene products and reproductive health education to women and girls in both Phoenix, Arizona, and Kakiika Village in Mbarara, Uganda, where she grew up.

The global economic impact of 5.1 million international students in 2016 can be estimated at US$300 billion. But student mobility is being threatened by a confluence of forces – lower prospects of work and higher costs of education. Urgent action by governments and universities is needed to sustain the momentum of student mobility, says a new report by higher education strategist Dr Rahul Choudaha of Studyportals.