2025 Seoul RISE General Universities Council Performance Forum Held

- Led by Council Chair Professor Janghyun Kim… Sharing Regional Innovation Achievements in Seoul

The Seoul RISE General Universities Council (Chair: Professor Janghyun Kim), together with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Institute, held the 2025 Seoul RISE General Universities Council Performance Forum on Monday, December 1 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. The forum commemorated the first year of the Seoul RISE initiative and brought together all 26 general universities in Seoul to share university-led regional innovation achievements and discuss future development strategies.

The RISE (Regional Innovation System & Education) initiative is a major Ministry of Education policy that transfers authority for implementing higher education financial support programs from the central government to local governments. This enables support for university innovation tailored to regional needs. Selected universities are carrying out initiatives that contribute to regional development by building diverse innovation models in collaboration with their local communities.

The Seoul RISE General Universities Council consists of 26 Seoul-based general universities and aims to establish joint strategies that strengthen inter-university cooperation and build a regional innovation ecosystem across the city. The forum featured: ▲Exhibitions showcasing RISE achievements from each university ▲Presentations of outstanding outcomes from individual projects ▲A collaboration meeting with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Institute

Participants also engaged in in-depth discussions on aligning these initiatives with Seoul’s municipal policies. Notably, the exhibition of outstanding achievements from the 26 universities illustrated the accomplishments of the first year of the Seoul RISE initiative, strengthening platforms for inter-university sharing and laying a foundation for expanding regional innovation.

Professor Janghyun Kim, Chair of the Seoul RISE General Universities Council, stated, “This year’s achievements clearly demonstrate the Seoul RISE vision of universities taking the lead in driving innovation across local communities and industries. We will continue to contribute to strengthening Seoul’s future competitiveness through inter-university collaboration and fostering young talent.”

Ju Yong-tae, Director-General of Economic Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, remarked, “The achievements of our universities are a key driving force behind Seoul’s urban innovation. The city will continue working closely with universities to expand an innovation ecosystem where young people can grow and industries can advance.”

Moving forward, the Seoul RISE General Universities Council plans to institutionalize regular exhibitions and presentations of achievements, further expand inter-university collaboration, and actively promote the dissemination of outstanding results. The council will also strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, research institutions, and government to expand the innovation ecosystem throughout Seoul.