Education Diplomacy: Key Soft Power in Nepal-Australia Relations

Abstract

Many of the prospective students of Nepal in their pursuit of higher education choose colleges and universities in rich industrialized countries in Europe and North America. In recent decades, students equally prefer Australia and New Zealand. By analyzing the network environment of educational exchange and student migration, this study seeks to shed light on the dynamics and intricacies of diplomatic engagement in Nepal-Australia relations. In fact, education diplomacy is a strategic tool that utilizes educational exchanges, collaborations, and partnerships to foster bilateral relations. It has emerged as a crucial component of soft power in Nepal-Australia relations as it exerting influence to rank Nepal the third largest international student community in Australia. Using qualitative approach based on empirical secondary data, this paper answers the question of how education diplomacy of Nepal-Australia maintains, advances, and become successful to robust bilateral relations. In addition, aspects of Nepal’s soft power resources, instruments, receptions and outcomes linked to education diplomacy are studied. For the understanding of the research findings the soft power theories and small states perspectives in bilateral relations with soft power superpower Australia and small power Nepal are used critically. Findings suggests that the education diplomacy remains as key instrument of soft power that leverage the scholar potentialities, population dividend, and thirst of quality education of small power like Nepal in bilateral relations with soft power superpowers like Australia. This paper explores the status of education diplomacy as soft power of Nepal in Nepal-Australia relations.