1st Hybrid Enrichment Day
Horizon Southeast Asia: Pushing the Frontier of Research and Sustainability
19 February 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
On 19 February 2025, SEAMEO RIHED and Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences under the implementation of Horizon Southeast Asia: Pushing the Frontier of Research and Sustainability Project co-organised the first hybrid Enrichment Day. With the support of the Ministry of Higher Education Science, Research, and Innovation, we are honored to have Professor Jane Knight from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, who shared her expertise on the topic of “Understanding Knowledge Diplomacy and Soft Power Approaches in International Higher Education Research and Innovation.”
Professor Jane Knight discussed the concept of knowledge diplomacy and soft power in international higher education, research, and innovation. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between knowledge diplomacy, which focuses on building and strengthening international relations through education, research, and innovation, and soft power, which aims to attract and persuade through cultural, political, or economic means. Knight highlighted the need for mutual interests and values such as reciprocity and trust in knowledge diplomacy, contrasting it with the competitive and dominant nature of soft power. She also introduced a conceptual framework for knowledge diplomacy, emphasizing the role of values and principles in guiding international collaborations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Professor Jane Knight for sharing her expertise and contributing to the enrichment of researchers and university leaders engaged in the Horizon Southeast Asia Project.
The audio recording of the full session is available in RIHED-SHARE: http://rihed-share.net/learning/knowledge-diplomacy-and-soft-power/