Strategy

Strategy

Strategic Approaches to Achieving Science Diplomacy through International Student Recruitment: Analyzing Challenges and Opportunities in Iran's Seventh Development Plan

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Maryam Saniejlal
Science and Research Policy Faculty, National Research Institute for Science Policy, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/rahbord.2025.543437.1854
Abstract
Science and technology diplomacy has emerged as a critical tool for advancing both scientific and political objectives in the twenty-first century. International student recruitment, as a core component of this strategy, has been emphasized in Iran's Seventh Development Plan, which aims to increase the number of foreign students to 320,000. This study investigates the challenges impeding this target and proposes strategic pathways to enhance Iran's international student recruitment. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combined a documentary analysis of national development plans, relevant legislation, and academic sources with insights from an expert panel of 15 specialists, including university international affairs directors, faculty members, and Ministry of Science experts. The study is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of higher education internationalization and science and technology diplomacy. Findings reveal that the current enrollment of 47,400 international students reflects a substantial gap from the set target. Key challenges operate at three levels: international factors, including sanctions, financial and banking restrictions, and diplomatic constraints; national factors, such as insufficient institutional coordination, limited financial resources, and infrastructure weaknesses; and sub-national factors, including university-specific limitations and educational and cultural barriers. The geographical distribution of students is heavily skewed toward neighboring countries, with 63.8% originating from Iraq. The study concludes that achieving the target requires a comprehensive, multi-level strategy incorporating legal reforms, infrastructure development, enhanced student services, strengthened international marketing, and inter-institutional coordination. A phased approach is recommended, addressing immediate barriers in the short term, developing institutional capacity in the medium term, and consolidating national branding in the long term.
Keywords
Science and Technology Diplomacy
Internationalization of Higher Education
International Student Recruitment
Seventh Development Plan
Development Strategies
Subjects
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Strategy
Volume 34, Issue 4 - Serial Number 117
Winter 2025
Pages 979-1012

  • Receive Date 27 August 2025
  • Accept Date 17 September 2025