Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Mohammad Asadi ¹
• Khalil Gholami ²
• Jamal Salimi ²
• Ali Khorsandi Taskoh ³

¹ PhD student in Higher Education Development Planning, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Educational Management and Planning, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The study investigated scenarios and strategies of academic knowledge diplomacy to advance the internationalization of the University of Kurdistan from the viewpoint of its international postgraduate students. Through semi-structured interviews with 25 students (18 master’s, 7 doctoral), researchers applied Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) to uncover four analytical layers: Litany: Surface concerns like affordable yet insufficiently funded tuition, infrastructure limits, and language barriers. Systemic Causes: Structural issues including informal markets for translation and thesis services, administrative corruption, and weak oversight. Worldview/Discourse: Cultural and religious affinities that bolster the university’s credibility and students’ sense of belonging. Myth/Metaphor: Perceptions of the institution as a “hotel” and students as “tourists,” reflecting a transactional engagement. A subsequent SWOT analysis highlighted strengths (affordable fees, rankings, cultural ties), weaknesses (language and support gaps), opportunities (regional partnerships, digital growth), and threats (political instability, shadow markets). Four strategic approaches were proposed: Offensive: Leverage strengths and opportunities. Reorientation: Use opportunities to mitigate weaknesses. Defensive: Address weaknesses to counter threats. Survival: Harness strengths against threats. Key recommendations include coordinated digital marketing, infrastructure upgrades, administrative transparency reforms, targeted language programs, and expansion of regional research networks—underscoring the need for an integrated economic, cultural, and organizational approach to knowledge diplomacy.

Keywords

• Knowledge Diplomacy
• Internationalization
• SWOT Analysis
• Causal Layered Analysis (CLA)
• International Postgraduate Students

Main Subjects

• Higher Education