Into the SKY: The College of Social Sciences’ Visit to Seoul
Date :
2024-11-20
Department :
International Master’s Program in Asia-Pacific Studies
【Article by College of Social Sciences】
To advance its internationalization initiatives and strengthen academic collaboration with Asia's leading universities, Professor Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU), led a delegation on an intensive two-day visit (November 14–15) to three prestigious institutions in Seoul: Yonsei University, Korea University, and Seoul National University. These universities, collectively referred to as the “SKY” universities due to their English acronyms, are celebrated not only for their exceptional academic standing within South Korea but also for their prominent role in the global academic community.
The visit began with the signing of a cooperation agreement between NCCU’s CSS and Yonsei University’s College of Social Sciences. Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s oldest and most distinguished private institutions, is internationally renowned for its research excellence. Notably, the university counts among its alumni Han Kang, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Literature and the first Asian female recipient of the prize.
The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Joon Han, Dean of Yonsei University’s College of Social Sciences, along with Vice Deans Professors Heon Joo Jung and Hang Kim, and Professor Young Jun Choi, Chair of the Department of Public Administration. During the event, representatives from both institutions highlighted their shared academic strengths, such as the extensive offering of English-taught courses, and their mutual commitment to fostering cross-cultural competencies among students. This agreement marks the foundation of a promising partnership between the two colleges.
Later that day, the NCCU delegation visited Korea University’s College of Political Science and Economics, where they met with Dean Jun Koo and Professor Yoonsuh Jung from the Department of Statistics to explore opportunities for collaboration. Dean Koo warmly welcomed the delegation and emphasized the college’s unique focus on statistical training alongside traditional disciplines such as political science, international relations, public administration, and economics. He noted that over 30% of the college’s courses are conducted in English, underscoring its strong commitment to internationalization.
Dean Yang introduced CSS’s international programs, its growing population of international students, and its robust English-taught curriculum. Dean Koo expressed enthusiastic support for facilitating student exchanges between the two institutions. His proactive attitude prompted Dean Yang to instruct Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, Associate Dean for International Affairs, to draft a formal cooperation agreement upon their return to Taiwan. To further enhance mutual understanding, Dean Koo and Professor Jung personally led the CSS delegation on a campus tour. Despite the drizzle, the tour showcased Korea University’s integration of traditional architecture, innovative underground facilities, and newly constructed buildings funded by corporate donors. The discussions during the visit unfolded in a collegial and forward-looking atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
On the morning of November 15, the delegation visited Seoul National University, where they were warmly received by Dean of Social Sciences Professor Dae Il Kim, Vice Deans Professors Hyunji Kwon and Jung Min Park, and Professor Baek Yung Kim from the Department of Sociology. Following a cordial exchange of greetings, Dean Yang presented CSS’s strengths, including its student-focused international programs, welcoming environment for foreign students, and the high level of interest among CSS students in participating in exchange opportunities at Seoul National University. Faculty members from CSS also shared case studies demonstrating their graduates’ competitive advantages in the global job market.
Dean Kim commended CSS for its achievements in advancing internationalization, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to expand English-taught offerings at Seoul National University. He also emphasized that South Korea’s cultural soft power continues to attract students from around the world. NCCU faculty responded positively, highlighting their students’ strong linguistic capabilities and readiness to excel in the Korean academic environment. The productive and engaging discussions during the meeting set the stage for future formal agreements between the two colleges.
The resounding success of these three meetings marks not the conclusion of a journey but the beginning of a deeper collaboration. Reflecting on the visit, Dean Yang noted that engaging with South Korea’s top universities reaffirmed CSS’s competitive edge in internationalization. Looking ahead, NCCU CSS aims to prioritize partnerships with Korean institutions, empowering its faculty and students to not only see the SKY from Taipei, but to actively experience and integrate into the SKY in Seoul.
To advance its internationalization initiatives and strengthen academic collaboration with Asia's leading universities, Professor Wan-Ying Yang, Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at National Chengchi University (NCCU), led a delegation on an intensive two-day visit (November 14–15) to three prestigious institutions in Seoul: Yonsei University, Korea University, and Seoul National University. These universities, collectively referred to as the “SKY” universities due to their English acronyms, are celebrated not only for their exceptional academic standing within South Korea but also for their prominent role in the global academic community.
The visit began with the signing of a cooperation agreement between NCCU’s CSS and Yonsei University’s College of Social Sciences. Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s oldest and most distinguished private institutions, is internationally renowned for its research excellence. Notably, the university counts among its alumni Han Kang, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Literature and the first Asian female recipient of the prize.
The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Joon Han, Dean of Yonsei University’s College of Social Sciences, along with Vice Deans Professors Heon Joo Jung and Hang Kim, and Professor Young Jun Choi, Chair of the Department of Public Administration. During the event, representatives from both institutions highlighted their shared academic strengths, such as the extensive offering of English-taught courses, and their mutual commitment to fostering cross-cultural competencies among students. This agreement marks the foundation of a promising partnership between the two colleges.
Later that day, the NCCU delegation visited Korea University’s College of Political Science and Economics, where they met with Dean Jun Koo and Professor Yoonsuh Jung from the Department of Statistics to explore opportunities for collaboration. Dean Koo warmly welcomed the delegation and emphasized the college’s unique focus on statistical training alongside traditional disciplines such as political science, international relations, public administration, and economics. He noted that over 30% of the college’s courses are conducted in English, underscoring its strong commitment to internationalization.
Dean Yang introduced CSS’s international programs, its growing population of international students, and its robust English-taught curriculum. Dean Koo expressed enthusiastic support for facilitating student exchanges between the two institutions. His proactive attitude prompted Dean Yang to instruct Professor Philip Hsiaopong Liu, Associate Dean for International Affairs, to draft a formal cooperation agreement upon their return to Taiwan. To further enhance mutual understanding, Dean Koo and Professor Jung personally led the CSS delegation on a campus tour. Despite the drizzle, the tour showcased Korea University’s integration of traditional architecture, innovative underground facilities, and newly constructed buildings funded by corporate donors. The discussions during the visit unfolded in a collegial and forward-looking atmosphere, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
On the morning of November 15, the delegation visited Seoul National University, where they were warmly received by Dean of Social Sciences Professor Dae Il Kim, Vice Deans Professors Hyunji Kwon and Jung Min Park, and Professor Baek Yung Kim from the Department of Sociology. Following a cordial exchange of greetings, Dean Yang presented CSS’s strengths, including its student-focused international programs, welcoming environment for foreign students, and the high level of interest among CSS students in participating in exchange opportunities at Seoul National University. Faculty members from CSS also shared case studies demonstrating their graduates’ competitive advantages in the global job market.
Dean Kim commended CSS for its achievements in advancing internationalization, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to expand English-taught offerings at Seoul National University. He also emphasized that South Korea’s cultural soft power continues to attract students from around the world. NCCU faculty responded positively, highlighting their students’ strong linguistic capabilities and readiness to excel in the Korean academic environment. The productive and engaging discussions during the meeting set the stage for future formal agreements between the two colleges.
The resounding success of these three meetings marks not the conclusion of a journey but the beginning of a deeper collaboration. Reflecting on the visit, Dean Yang noted that engaging with South Korea’s top universities reaffirmed CSS’s competitive edge in internationalization. Looking ahead, NCCU CSS aims to prioritize partnerships with Korean institutions, empowering its faculty and students to not only see the SKY from Taipei, but to actively experience and integrate into the SKY in Seoul.