[Interview] Choi Ki-joo, President of Ajou University, "Introducing the School of Liberal Arts... Leading the Way in Cultivating Convergent Talents"

Exchange with 435 Universities and Institutions in 67 Countries
University Research and Development Technology Commercialization Achievements
Breaking Department Boundaries for Creative Education
Establishment of Departments and Colleges in Advanced Fields

"I hope students will freely and proactively confront the world."

Choi Kiju, President of Ajou University, holds an educational philosophy that aligns with the flow of a river. It is a process of continuous change, not stagnation in any space. It is a choice that avoids complacency and never stops advancing toward the world. This also aligns with Ajou University's aspiration to be "the best university leading Asia in the 21st century."

Decisions that look beyond immediate sweetness to future possibilities are not as easy as they sound. However, leaders who dream of a better tomorrow sometimes need to make such broad-minded choices. President Choi once had a lively student consult him about their career path. Considering the student's outstanding abilities, he could have recommended continuing at Ajou University through master's and doctoral programs, but instead, he opened the path to study abroad in the United States, a broader stage.

"Perhaps they will return to Ajou University someday to teach students," President Choi's vision was focused on the future. When such forward-looking choices accumulate, Ajou University's future inevitably becomes strong. President Choi has experienced the turning point in Ajou University's history as it moves toward its 100-year legacy. Last year, during his tenure, the 50th anniversary event was an occasion to announce a great leap forward to the world.

President Choi focuses on the ‘Dasan (茶山)-type talent’ suitable for the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Dasan-type talent refers to a practical, realistic, convergent, and creative individual. Since its founding in 1973, Ajou University has gone beyond representing Gyeonggi Province, where the largest population in South Korea resides, to practicing the spirit of "World Family" (Segye Ilga). The ideology that all humanity should live in harmony as one is an ongoing mission at Ajou University.

Currently, Ajou University has exchange agreements with 345 universities and institutions in 67 countries and operates various overseas exchange programs such as one-to-one exchange students, dual degrees, and short-term student dispatch. In particular, it promotes student exchanges and research cooperation with the University of Virginia, Purdue University, University of Michigan, University of California Irvine, and University of Southern California in the United States.

Choi Ki-ju, President of Ajou University, is walking along the campus forest path and talking with a reporter.
[Photo by Heo Young-han]

The following is a full Q&A with the president.

-You have presented several visions since taking office. Could you elaborate?

▲I believed Ajou University needed convergence, connection, innovation, and culture. We have been continuously crossing boundaries and expanding our domains. We have achieved some results in innovation and culture. We have promoted structural innovation at the university level by establishing departments and colleges in cutting-edge fields and have gradually improved various infrastructures.

-You said, "We will become the A+ of the world." What does that mean?

▲It reflects confidence and pride in the remarkable achievements and value Ajou University has attained in a relatively short 50 years. Compared to other private universities, our history is not very long, but we have solidified our foundation and grown rapidly, taking on various innovations and challenges as a "university that changes universities." Beyond 50 years, we are preparing for 100 years, nurturing leaders who will lead our society and growing into a university that contributes to society and the world.

-What is Ajou University's mid- to long-term development plan to prepare for the new era?

▲Last year, on the 50th anniversary, we set the vision of "a university that changes the future through value creation and innovation," including 25 strategic tasks. The goals narrow down to nurturing future-leading talents, producing world-class research outcomes, realizing social value, and strengthening international capabilities. It is based on the question of how to enable "greater learning" for students at the university. We plan to secure excellent research personnel, establish systems to enhance qualitative research capabilities, and foster premier research groups.

Choi Ki-joo, President of Ajou University, is posing at the Innovation Hub Lounge.
Photo by Heo Young-han

-What kinds of industry-academia-research cooperation specializations are being promoted?

▲We have a support system to help enrolled students challenge entrepreneurship. We offer entrepreneurship courses as regular subjects and provide support through the startup support program "Ajou Startup 4by4," tailored by field and stage. Additionally, the Industry Collaboration Center (ICC) is a comprehensive package program for cooperation between university researchers and industries. Currently, it operates in seven specialized fields centered on Ajou University's strengths: ChemBioMedicine, Advanced Medical Bio, Smart Energy, Carbon and Zero New Renewable Energy Systems, ACES Mobility, Advanced Semiconductor Applications, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Software (SW). Furthermore, we are achieving results in the "technology commercialization" sector, the pinnacle of university research and development (R&D). Notably, last year, we recorded technology transfer revenue of 2.83 billion KRW, ranking within the top 10 nationwide among universities.

-Ajou University is traditionally known for its strong engineering college. Could you explain Ajou's unique strengths?

▲That perception exists because we started as an engineering college. However, the humanities and social sciences also have considerable competitiveness. We have star professors like Professor Kim Kyung-il in psychology, and the law school is the only one in Gyeonggi Province, producing capable legal professionals. Ajou University is relatively young and highly sensitive to change. This academic culture has contributed to setting Ajou University's own standards rather than conforming to others' standards in education and research. As of the end of 2022, Ajou University's government general financial support projects amounted to about 120 billion KRW.

-How are the humanities and social sciences adapting to the era of convergence studies?

▲The power to question, critically reflect, and produce new things comes from the humanities and social sciences. In 2022, we participated in the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Institute support project by the National Research Foundation of Korea, researching under the theme "Establishment and Dissemination of Digital Historiography: Based on the Study of the Network of Ruling Elites in the Joseon Dynasty Using Life Cycle Historical Data." This requires macro analysis based on digitized historical data, involving not only history faculty but also professors from financial engineering, cybersecurity, industrial engineering, and media studies.

Choi Ki-joo, President of Ajou University, is talking about the open-air theater after the remodeling construction.
[Photo by Heo Young-han]

-What is the purpose and expected effect of the newly introduced College of Liberal Studies starting next year?

▲Starting in the 2025 academic year, Ajou University will admit 454 students without a major, with recruitment beginning in early September. To promote active exchange between disciplines and creative, innovative education, we boldly removed boundaries between departments. The non-major admission consists mainly of the Ajou Innovation College model (AI Lab) and the College of Liberal Studies. AI Lab abolishes departments within the college to provide broad major selection and flexible learning opportunities. It consists of the Frontier Science Division and the Economic, Political, and Social Convergence Division, with quotas of 109 and 104 students, respectively. The Frontier Science Division is based on physics, chemistry, and life sciences, while the Economic, Political, and Social Convergence Division is based on economics, politics, and social fields. The College of Liberal Studies is divided into natural sciences and humanities, admitting 108 and 58 students, respectively.

-Please introduce the newly established College of Advanced Bio Convergence and the Department of Future Mobility Engineering.

▲Not only semiconductors, AI, and mobility but also the advanced bio industry is one of the game-changing technologies that will change the future. Ajou University not only has strengths in this field but also has the medical school, pharmacy school, engineering college, and natural sciences college all on one campus, creating a very favorable environment for convergence and joint research. The Department of Future Mobility Engineering will be expanded and reorganized from next year as the Department of AI Mobility Engineering. It will provide education encompassing software knowledge applied to the future mobility industry, including autonomous driving, electric vehicles, space, communications, AI, and intelligent robots.

-You are known for putting great effort into communication with students. Could you share your approach?

▲I have a personal philosophy that communication should meet the other person's level. I try to approach students first and immerse myself with them. I do not neglect emails or messages from students and reply to each one. If there are issues, I meet the students directly and seek solutions together as the president. I believe such everyday exchanges are important. I even went on stage during festivals to greet and sang a cappella. If these encounters helped students enjoy school and create memories even a little, I am happy.

Interview by Ryu Jeongmin, Head of Social Affairs Department

Compiled by Reporter Lim Chunhan