[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Lee Kwang-hyung, the KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) president known as the 'eccentric professor,' has once again unveiled a bold strategy. To fulfill his long-cherished goal of surpassing Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he is employing a 'main base drop' tactic by establishing an advanced base (campus) in the enemy's backyard. It is a move akin to entering a tiger's den to catch the tiger. Although challenges such as securing donations and obtaining permits remain, this groundbreaking attempt could establish KAIST as the world's leading science and technology research and education institution if successful, drawing significant attention.
On the 10th, President Lee held an online briefing locally and announced plans to purchase a 33,000㎡ site and building in New York City to establish a global campus. This will serve as a foundation to nurture the dreams and capabilities of Korean students and professors, while transforming into a global education and research institution through disruptive innovation technology development and talent education via international research collaboration. This is the so-called 'global twin strategy.'
To this end, President Lee met with Bae Hee-nam, chairman of the Global Leadership Foundation (GLF) Group, who expressed his intention to donate, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to the establishment of the global campus. KAIST plans to search for and purchase campus sites and buildings by next year in cooperation with the GLF Group, and operate the campus after obtaining formal permits from the Korean and U.S. education authorities. A KAIST official explained, "Chairman Bae's side has expressed the intention to purchase the campus site and then donate it, but specific methods and timing have not yet been finalized," adding, "There is still much to be done, including fundraising for establishment costs and obtaining permits."
KAIST plans to use the New York campus primarily as a base where students and professors from the Korean main campus can study and conduct research in the U.S., broadening their perspectives and nurturing grand ambitions. It will also serve as a base for international joint research by leveraging the global network. Additionally, it will function as an advanced base to actively utilize the global market formed in New York during the technology commercialization process, including research institute startups.
President Lee stated, "This will be an opportunity to change the paradigm of education in our country. It will instill a unique global spirit of challenge in students and create global value through challenge and innovation in a new way," adding, "We are promoting this to elevate the status of a top-tier science and technology university in the international community." He emphasized, "In particular, through intensive research and development (R&D) and education in science and technology fields where Korea has strengths at the New York campus, we will compete with prestigious universities on the U.S. East Coast such as Harvard and MIT."
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