Imperial strengthens Korean ties

Imperial's Provost led a delegation to Korea in late May to develop scientific links and meet alumni.

The trip, which took place over 20-23 May, follows on from President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Imperial in November 2013, when the College showcased UK science and led efforts to enhance research collaboration between the two nations.

Imperial’s Provost Professor James Stirling, Dean of Natural Sciences Professor Maggie Dallman, quantum physicist Professor Myungshik Kim and plastic electronics pioneer Dr Ji-Seon Kim met with representatives from Korea’s leading higher education, scientific and government institutions. 

Professor Stirling and colleagues visited some of Korea’s world-class universities and research institutes including POSTECH, KAIST and SNU, as well as the Seoul Science High School, and senior officials at the Blue House.

The tour culminated in the College’s first major alumni event in Seoul, held at the British Embassy, where more than 50 Imperial graduates and guests gathered. Among the guests were nine offer-holding students planning to join the College later in 2014.

British Ambassador Scott Wightman welcomed the delegation, and referred back to the last time he saw Professor Stirling at Imperial: donning a white lab coat for a metamaterials demo with President Park. 

Professor Stirling said: “It was an honour to welcome President Park to Imperial last year, and it is a pleasure to see the College’s relationship with South Korea flourish. I was very impressed by the quality of research and innovation taking place in Korea, with strong government support, and we are excited at the prospect of forging ever more collaborations with some of Korea’s finest scientists. 

“A highlight of the trip was the alumni reception held at the British Embassy. Imperial’s Korean alumni are among the most outstanding graduates anywhere. It was a special privilege to meet some of the next generation of Imperial students at the event too; their enthusiasm, drive and sheer talent suggest they have very bright futures. I hope our growing links with Korea will inspire more of the country’s best and brightest students to apply to Imperial.”

Fond memories

One alumnus at the event, Professor Ki-Du Kim (PhD, Civil Engineering, 1992) of Konkuk University in Seoul, enjoyed the chance to reminisce about his time at the College. He said: “I have such fond memories. I met my wife in London. Imperial is my life. I loved it there.” 

Dr Cheil Moon (MSc Biotechnology 1990), Vice President of the Imperial College Alumni Association of South Korea, added: “It’s great to see so many alumni here today in Seoul. I’d like to thank the Provost and colleagues for coming all the way from London. Although we are a small group of alumni, all of us from Imperial know we’ve gained such a high standard of education and are proud of that.”