European Union’s Public Diplomacy to ASEAN through the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE) in 2024

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE) in 2024 in supporting European Union public diplomacy towards ASEAN. The main focus in this research is to analyze how the SCOPE-HE programme can contribute in improving the quality of higher education level in ASEAN communities and provide pathways for accessibility and inclusiveness of education, and facilitate the development of graduate skills for the labor market through student exchanges between EU and ASEAN universities. This research adopts Joseph S. Nye. Jr’s soft power theory with a focus on the dimensions of public diplomacy. The research method uses the descriptive qualitative method with data collection technique in the form of literature studies and analysis of official documents from European Union and ASEAN and other related sources. Findings of this research show that the SCOPE-HE programme is implemented through enhanced student and academic mobility, strengthening networks between universities in the European Union and ASEAN, and building a connected and skilled workforce. This cooperation also involves various parties such as NUFFIC and DAAD as international organizations although the main funding comes from the European Union itself