Vol 4 No 2 (2026)

• Philological Education as A Driver for Cross-cultural Collaboration in the Russian-Chinese Educational Context

  Aida R. Nurutdinova, Ding Siyu, Qiu Ciai

  The deepening strategic partnership between Russia and China has intensified the need for educational models that foster genuine cross-cultural competence beyond surface-level linguistic proficiency. This paper argues that philological education (an integrated discipline of language, literature, and cultural interpretation) serves as a powerful yet underexplored driver for cross-cultural collaboration in the Russian-Chinese educational context. Employing a qualitative multiple-case study design, the research examines three bilateral educational initiatives involving philological curricula, faculty exchange, and joint research projects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 educators and administrators, supplemented by document analysis of curricular frameworks and institutional agreements. The findings reveal that philologically grounded programs cultivate deeper intercultural empathy, create sustainable collaborative networks, and transform language learning into relational practice. Notably, such collaboration also demonstrated resilience as a form of “soft diplomacy”, sustaining institutional ties during periods of geopolitical tension. However, structural barriers (including divergent pedagogical traditions, asymmetrical language policies favoring English, and limited institutional flexibility) continue to hinder full integration. The study concludes that integrating philological approaches into international education strategies can transform language learning from transactional skill acquisition into a foundation for long-term cross-cultural partnership. Practical recommendations for curriculum design, institutional strategy, and educator development are discussed.

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• Driving Institutional Transformation: The Role of Integrated Marketing Communication in Burundian Higher Education: A Case of Université Sagesse d’Afrique

  Nobel Estimé BASABAKWINSHI

  Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Burundi, especially Université Sagesse d’Afrique (USA), grapple with standing out in a crowded market where smart communication strategies are key to thriving. Even though Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) has proven effective worldwide, it’s rarely used in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), leaving universities with patchy brand images and weak digital setups. This study takes a quantitative look at how three IMC elements message consistency, social media engagement, and digital tool use affect USA’s organizational performance. We used a cross-sectional survey to gather data from 350 students and lecturers at the Kinindo, Asiatique, and Kamenge campuses, applying stratified random sampling. Python (version 3.11) handled the stats, including multiple regression and diagnostic tests to ensure the model’s reliability. Overall, the full IMC framework explained 62%   of the variation in organizational performance. Message consistency was the strongest predictor (β = .48, p <.001), which outranked social media engagement (β =.25) and digital tool use (β = .18). They were no notable differences by campus or respondent group (p > .05), indicating broad agreement on the University standing. These results reveal a “synergy effect”: a university’s reputation hinges on consistent messaging across all channels, not one-off marketing efforts. The study provides administrators with a hands-on framework to boost competitiveness, even with tight resources.

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• Online Learning System for Pre-Marital Education to Improve Balinese Hindus Brides’ and Grooms’ Readiness

  Luh Asli, Luh Mila Trisna Dewi, Komang Tari Karismayanti

  Marriage in Balinese Hinduism is both a social obligation and a sacred religious ceremony. It requires careful preparation that involves complex cultural factors, such as selecting auspicious days, adhering to caste norms, family structure, and financial readiness. These requirements pose challenges for prospective brides and grooms. This community service provides an online information and consultation system to support the premarital readiness of prospective Balinese Hindu couples and evaluates whether the system improved users’ readiness for marriage. A questionnaire was delivered before and after the prospective Balinese Hindu couples learn about Balinese marriage through the online system. Fifty-three prospective brides and grooms participated, recruited through convenience sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and effect-size analysis to assess the intervention's impact. Results showed a significant improvement in premarital readiness after using the system, as indicated by a paired t-test and a substantial effect size. The online information and consultation system enhanced the preparedness of prospective Balinese Hindu couples by providing accessible information and structured guidance.

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