| dc.description.abstract | This research examines the implementation of Indonesia’s educational diplomacy
through the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program from 2021 to
2023. Employing Joseph Nye’s Soft Power theory and Jane Knight’s Knowledge Diplomacy
framework, this study examines how IISMA serves as a strategic tool for enhancing
Indonesia's global image and promoting international cooperation through higher education
mobility. The findings indicate that IISMA not only strengthens Indonesia’s soft power by
empowering students as informal cultural ambassadors but also promotes collaborative
knowledge exchange and long-term relationship-building, aligning with the principles of
knowledge diplomacy. The program demonstrates that educational exchanges can serve dual
functions: advancing the internationalization of higher education while simultaneously
contributing to the nation's diplomatic capital. However, the research also highlights several
challenges, including limited pre-departure preparation, underrepresentation of marginalized
groups, and insufficient post-program integration, which may hinder IISMA's optimal
diplomatic impact. The study concludes that while IISMA has significant potential as an
instrument of educational diplomacy, continuous improvement is necessary to ensure its
sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with Indonesia’s broader foreign policy objectives. | en_US |
