SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY (SKKU), SEOUL, KOREA


January-February, 2019 Vol. 1
President
  • Inaugural Address of 21st SKKU President Dong Ryeol SHIN
Worldwide
  • Honorary Doctorate Degree was Conferred on Rector of Saint Petersburg State University
  • President of the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City Visits SKKU
  • Prof. Jae Kyo JIN of the Dept. of Classical Chinese Education Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from Sofia University
Top School
  • SKKU Ranked 39th in the World’s Most Innovative Universities 2018 by Reuters
  • SKKU Ranked 33rd in World and 2nd in Korea in Chemistry
  • College of Economics Celebrates 70th Anniversary
  • SKKU Ranked Top Korean Comprehensive University by JoongAng Daily
  • SKKU School of Medicine Ranked 41st in World by Times Higher Education
Global Campus
  • SKKU Holds 10th Central Asia Sungkyun Writing Contest
  • Academy of East Asian Studies Holds China Forum
  • 4th Central & Eastern Europe Sungkyun Writing Contest Holds in Vienna
  • Harvard University Professor Michael Puett Gives Special Lecture at SKKU
Discovery
  • Noticeable Articles Recently Published in Journals
Students' Activities
  • Research Team “SAVE” Receives Award from Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
  • Department of Economics Students Publish Articles in Leading Journals
  • Big Data Lab Students Awarded for Superior Presentations from the Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers
International Student
  • International Freshmen Welcome Program
Inaugural Address of 21st SKKU President Dong Ryeol SHIN

Dear Sungkyun Family, Honorable Chairman Jung Don SEO, former presidents of the university, Alumni Association President Yong Taek YUN, and distinguished guests! Today, I solemnly stand here as I am inaugurated as the 21st president of Sungkyunkwan University. I am honored to be able to open a new era for our esteemed university along with everyone seated here.

Sungkyunkwan University is a national university with 621 years of glorious history and shining tradition. The university has led the development of higher education in Korea by challenging and innovating while keeping sharing and coexistence in mind. Now as a "Global Leading University", we will contribute to the prosperity and development of humanity along with other prestigious universities in the world.

Dear Sungkyun Family!

Recently, the higher education environment has reached a turning point. New forms of technology such as artificial intelligence, software, 5G, and robotics are calling for creative values as society becomes hyper-connected. Universities are at risk of extinction as they face a fiscal and demographic cliff.

Sungkyunkwan University has always turned crisis into opportunity. We have actively pushed for change and innovation without becoming complacent. Now we must create new values in order to overcome the impending crisis. It is time for us to gather our wisdom and show courage to move into the future.

Today, I would like to suggest a new vision, "To Become a Global Leading University That Ensures Student Success and Generates Future Value". The specific action plans are:

First, we will make "Student Success" our core value. Today, our knowledge and technology have advanced exponentially and the world has become closer than ever. Now our paradigm of higher education must change. The university should no longer just be a medium for the simple transmission of knowledge, but should also be a space for students to develop and manage their values for successful lives. From this viewpoint, I propose to initiate educational innovations centered on three points for "Student Success". The first point is "Less Teaching, More Learning". The second point is expansion of "Creative Convergence Education". Lastly, our university was the first to open a "Student Success Center". We will establish a solid system of support to help students succeed and create a campus environment that embraces diversity.

Second, we will focus on "Social Impact" that creates future value. Our university will now aim for qualitative growth in order to be recognized as a world-renowned university. We will be responsible for creating future value and resolve global issues as a global university. We will construct a "Convergent R&E Cluster" and activate convergent/compound research that transcends individual majors and campuses. Joint research will be carried out effectively through practical cooperation between the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, Natural Sciences Campus, and Samsung Medical Center. Also, we will expand our international research network and become a "Top 50 Ranked Global University".

Third, SKKU will raise its status as an entrepreneurial university that leads new industries. The university needs to be an active partner of international companies and governments to become a communicative and cooperative platform. We will aid our professors in making research accomplishments that expand technology transfer and commercialization and add value to society. We will invite global companies and research institutes to our campus to promote smooth industrial-educational cooperation. We will create a new cooperation model, especially with global company, Samsung.

Fourth, we will do our best to develop our university community and campus culture. For the university to move forward with sustainable advancement, it needs to be comprised of members that share the same vision and objectives. During my presidency, I will devote myself to strengthening our campus culture and establishing a universal brand that symbolizes the spirit and traditions of Sungkyunkwan University. I will try my best to create a brand that contains the founding philosophy of "修己治人" (self-cultivation) and "成均" (Sungkyun - to make a better society).

Dear Sungkyun Family!

In order to realize "Student Success" and create "Future Value", it is crucial that everyone in our community cooperates with each other. It is impossible to achieve the university's vision without the communication and participation of SKKU's members. I will open a venue for professors, faculty, students, and alumni to share their opinions for the development of the university. I will offer different channels for multidirectional interaction and communication. I will take the initiative to ensure we have a united SKKU community where all members share the philosophy and values of the university and think of others, not just themselves.

There is a phrase in the "Analects" that best represents my current feelings, "任重道遠". It means, "To bear heavy responsibilities through a long struggle." That said, I am not afraid so long as I am with you. Together, as fellow members of the Sungkyunkwan University community, we will write a new chapter in history. Let's dream big! I will lead the way! Thank you!

January 8, 2019
Dong Ryeol SHIN
President of Sungkyunkwan University


HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CAMPUS : 25-2, SUNGKYUNKWAN-RO, JONGNO-GU, SEOUL, KOREA TEL +82-2-760-1151

NATURAL SCIENCES CAMPUS : 2066, SEOBU-RO,JANGAN-GU, SUWON-SI, GYEONG GI-DO, KOREA

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