Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis
Abstract Debates on the nuanced humanistic and diplomatic motives of international scholarship schemes are gaining traction. Diplomatically, these scholarships serve as instruments of “soft power,” enabling host states to influence foreign public opinion. Humanistically, they reflect the host countr...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04164-1 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850136570737197056 |
|---|---|
| author | Warangkana Lin |
| author_facet | Warangkana Lin |
| author_sort | Warangkana Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Debates on the nuanced humanistic and diplomatic motives of international scholarship schemes are gaining traction. Diplomatically, these scholarships serve as instruments of “soft power,” enabling host states to influence foreign public opinion. Humanistically, they reflect the host country’s commitment to “aid through higher education” to address global disparities. This study examines the role of higher education in this context, focusing on the impact of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) scholarship on alumni’s career trajectories, institution transfers, network formation, social engagement, and Taiwan’s global visibility. Utilising an opinion-leader model, this retrospective research collected data from interviews with Latin American alumni in emerging leadership roles within governments or educational institutions and with faculty and executives from a prestigious university. The findings underscore the adoption of Taiwan-inspired practices by alumni in leadership positions as evidence of diplomatic influence. Graduates’ employability is linked to diplomatic ties, with their applied knowledge addressing social issues in their home countries. The study concludes that scholarships extend beyond mere soft power, serving as vehicles for knowledge diplomacy and fostering humanistic outcomes. This perspective transcends a simplistic binary view, offering a comprehensive understanding of international scholarship programmes and highlighting the intricate interplay between humanistic and diplomatic contributions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bf2c15583cdf4283acf4b923795552ad |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-9992 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-bf2c15583cdf4283acf4b923795552ad2025-08-20T02:31:04ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922024-12-0111111210.1057/s41599-024-04164-1Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysisWarangkana Lin0I-Shou UniversityAbstract Debates on the nuanced humanistic and diplomatic motives of international scholarship schemes are gaining traction. Diplomatically, these scholarships serve as instruments of “soft power,” enabling host states to influence foreign public opinion. Humanistically, they reflect the host country’s commitment to “aid through higher education” to address global disparities. This study examines the role of higher education in this context, focusing on the impact of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) scholarship on alumni’s career trajectories, institution transfers, network formation, social engagement, and Taiwan’s global visibility. Utilising an opinion-leader model, this retrospective research collected data from interviews with Latin American alumni in emerging leadership roles within governments or educational institutions and with faculty and executives from a prestigious university. The findings underscore the adoption of Taiwan-inspired practices by alumni in leadership positions as evidence of diplomatic influence. Graduates’ employability is linked to diplomatic ties, with their applied knowledge addressing social issues in their home countries. The study concludes that scholarships extend beyond mere soft power, serving as vehicles for knowledge diplomacy and fostering humanistic outcomes. This perspective transcends a simplistic binary view, offering a comprehensive understanding of international scholarship programmes and highlighting the intricate interplay between humanistic and diplomatic contributions.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04164-1 |
| spellingShingle | Warangkana Lin Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis Humanities & Social Sciences Communications |
| title | Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis |
| title_full | Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis |
| title_fullStr | Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis |
| title_short | Humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in Taiwan: an analysis |
| title_sort | humanistic and diplomatic implications of international scholarship schemes in taiwan an analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04164-1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT warangkanalin humanisticanddiplomaticimplicationsofinternationalscholarshipschemesintaiwanananalysis |