Outflow patterns, geographic distribution, and core-periphery structure: a social network analysis of ASEAN-5+3 student flows

Student mobility is a significant indicator of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) regional integration identity. ASEAN-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and +3 (China, Japan and South Korea) student flows are examples of APT. Focusing on student mobility through the lens of Social Network Analysis (SNA) can help shed light on its underlying structural features. An updated top-five relative ranking score for each ASEAN-5+3 country in relation to student outflows formed the basis of a directed weighted adjacency matrix. Results demonstrate a significant degree of extra-regionality among the student mobility flows originating from the ASEAN-5+3 countries, with Japan, China, Singapore, and Malaysia having large levels of student outflows relative to the other APT countries. Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea have more balanced levels of student outflows, while there is a unique degree of intra-regionality among the student outflows of Vietnam. Although the overall pattern of extra-regionality remains dominant among the ASEAN-5+3 countries, current data reveal a highly pronounced concentration of intra-regional flows, particularly directed towards the Plus Three destinations. The analysis found the student mobility network consists of a distinct core-periphery structure, with China positioned as the core of the APT educational network and Malaysia serving as the major hub of the ASEAN educational network. Based on the research findings, member countries of the APT educational network must develop specifically tailored strategies according to the characteristics of student mobility within the APT regional cooperation framework. Finally, longitudinal SNA should be used in future research to study the causal mechanisms and temporal evolution of student mobility.