The friendship investment: exploring the soft power of Australian international scholarships and the impact of alumni networks and connections with Australia
ISSN: 0819-8691
Article publication date: 29 July 2024
Issue publication date: 13 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper draws on two studies from a wider research program exploring the long-term graduate outcomes of Australia’s international development scholarships, the Australia Awards. The paper’s focus is on exploring how soft power can be identified through international scholarships and outlines conditions for success in achieving such outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This article discusses a mixed-methods sequential design that uses a quantitative online survey to identify themes to explore in a case study using a quantitative social networks approach.
Findings
The research identified two outcomes linked to the soft power of international scholarships, these are: (1) The value of existing connections – exposure and opportunity for scholarship recipients to build professional networks while in-country, influences the likelihood of alumni actioning these positive experiences by developing partnerships with host-country organisations after returning home; and (2) The value of alumni interconnectivity – the critical mass of peer-to-peer alumni relationships is a soft power asset that donors can harness to influence their international development and diplomacy objectives. Together, these findings also provide evidence that soft power attraction engendered in international scholarship participants can have longevity.
Originality/value
This article builds on early literature examining the effectiveness of international scholarships for developing countries in achieving soft power for scholarship donors. It provides a new view of these outcomes by looking at alumni networks individually and as a critical mass, to demonstrate how these contribute to achieving the diplomacy objectives of this type of state-sponsored student mobility program.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of colleagues to the research project discussed in this paper. In particular, Sarah Buckley for their comments and feedback on draft versions of this manuscript.
Funding: This research was commissioned by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility (GTF) and managed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) from May 2016 to April 2024. Over this period, the GTF has undertaken a large annual survey and ongoing case studies, as well as tracing activities aimed at re-engaging alumni in broader activities.
Citation
Haddow, A., Edwards, D. and Doyle, J. (2024), "The friendship investment: exploring the soft power of Australian international scholarships and the impact of alumni networks and connections with Australia", History of Education Review, Vol. 53 No. 2, pp. 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/HER-02-2024-0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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