Education as a Tool of Russia’s Soft Power in ASEAN Countries

The study examines the use of education as an instrument of Russia’s soft power in ASEAN countries and its role in fostering international educational cooperation. It focuses on academic mobility, government quotas, inter-university programs, and scientific exchanges, as well as key factors influencing student inflows from ASEAN countries to Russian universities. Special attention is given to differences in engagement levels across ASEAN states and challenges faced by students in admission and study processes. The study analyzes historical and contemporary aspects of educational diplomacy, its institutional foundations, and its significance for Russia’s academic and scientific ties with ASEAN. It also explores ways to enhance the appeal of Russian higher education, including improving programs, expanding English-language instruction, and strengthening information support for international students. The research employs contextual and quantitative analysis with a comparative approach. Academic mobility is assessed through an indicator measuring the ratio of ASEAN students in Russia to their home country’s population per million residents. The analysis covers data from 2020 to 2024. The study’s novelty lies in the quantitative assessment of Russia’s educational policy in ASEAN using a newly developed academic mobility coefficient. The findings confirm the hypothesis that an increase in ASEAN students in Russia correlates with expanding educational cooperation and stronger academic ties. The largest student inflows are from Laos and Vietnam, reflecting high engagement in Russian initiatives, while mobility remains low in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei, highlighting the need to revise cooperation strategies. The results emphasize the role of academic mobility as a key component of Russia’s educational diplomacy in the region.