Binational universities abroad as an instrument of Germany's public diplomacy

In the context of increasing international competition in higher education, universities are increasingly seen as significant actors in foreign policy, capable of transmitting national values and strengthening the international influence of states. Unlike Anglo-American models, which are primarily oriented toward market logic and the commercialization of knowledge, the German model of transnational higher education is closely linked to external cultural-educational policy and scientific diplomacy. However, despite Germany's leading position in the scale of transnational activity, there is a lack of comprehensive research in the academic literature analyzing the activities of binational universities from the perspective of Germany's public diplomacy instruments. The subject of the study is binational universities as one form of Germany's external educational policy. The aim of the article is to identify their significance as an instrument of Germany's public diplomacy. The methodological basis of the study is qualitative document analysis and typologisation. Through the analysis of concepts, strategies and annual reports of the coordinating institutions, thematic blocks were identified (legal status, governance mechanism, financing and interministerial cooperation), which served as the basis for comparison and construction of a typology of binational universities abroad as instruments of German public diplomacy. The results of the research can be utilized in studies of public diplomacy and transnational higher education when developing strategies for the internationalization of universities. The novelty of the work lies in considering binational universities not only as a form of educational cooperation but also as an independent instrument of Germany's public diplomacy. It highlights the features, risks, and effectiveness of binational universities abroad as instruments of Germany's public diplomacy. Thus, German binational universities abroad should be viewed as an effective and long-term resource for Germany’s public diplomacy, combining educational, political-cultural, and image functions. At the same time, their ability to create sustainable ties between Germany and partner countries is vulnerable to changes in intergovernmental relations during periods of international tension.