[Interview] Lee Seong-geun, President of Sungshin Women's University: "My Goal is to be a 'Reliable Guide'... I Will Break the Traditional Form of Higher Education"

Integrating Business Insights into University Operations
Enhancing University Competitiveness through Internationalization
69% Increase in Foreign Students in 2 Years
20% of Entrants Dispatched Abroad

Ranked 10th in Overseas Dispatch among Seoul Universities
Established Foreign Resident Employment Program
Plan to Launch International Department in 2025
Blueprint for a 'University Connected with Society' Drawn

"I aspire to be a 'reliable guide' as a university president who presents the direction universities should take."

Among the messages conveyed by Lee Seong-geun, President of Sungshin Women's University, the part about being a reliable guide was particularly memorable. Ordinary people tend to focus only on immediate results. In doing so, the direction of the path they want to take can waver. At such times, someone must take on the role of looking far ahead with a long breath and guiding the way. Broadening the scope beyond personal relationships to society, it means that academia, especially universities, should lead that path.

President Lee spoke about precisely that role. In an interview with Asia Economy, he calmly expressed his views on what a university should be and the role of the president leading it. He emphasized that academia cannot exist alone and that a blueprint for coexistence must be drawn based on convergence and connection. The image of a university taking root as a reliable guide to society aligns with Sungshin Women's University's founding philosophy: "To nurture sincere and trustworthy female leaders based on the national spirit to contribute to the country and society." The founder, Dr. Isukjong Unjeong, named the university Sungshin (誠信), meaning "sincerity and trust," with the idea that "if one is trustworthy outwardly and sincere inwardly, anything can be accomplished." The reliable guide is, in essence, the role of widely conveying Sungshin Women's University's educational philosophy to the world.

This year marks the 88th anniversary of Sungshin Women's University's founding and the 59th anniversary of its opening. The efforts of those who have shared Sungshin's history are bearing fruit. Sungshin Women's University ranked 2nd among domestic women's universities in the UK-based global university ranking agency QS's "2024 QS Asia University Rankings." This result was not achieved by chance. Based on the 2023 university information disclosure, Sungshin Women's University provides an annual scholarship amount of 3.73 million KRW per enrolled student, ranking first among four-year women's universities in Seoul. Sungshin Women's University continues to walk the path of nurturing talent while achieving such meaningful records.

At the center of this is President Lee. He continuously communicates and breathes with various university members, designing Sungshin's tomorrow. By applying the know-how of the real economy experienced in the corporate world to the academic sanctuary, a virtuous cycle is being created. The reason President Lee wants to draw a blueprint with a long breath is that he knows universities cannot exist alone and that efforts to connect and coexist with society are preparations for a sustainable future. President Lee plans to continue taking bold steps toward being a reliable guide during the remainder of his term.

Below is the full Q&A with President Lee.

Sungkeun Lee, President of Sungshin Women's University, is giving an interview to Asia Economy on the 18th at Sungshin Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Hyunmin Kim]

- It has been two years since your inauguration this month. What are your reflections so far?

▲ Personally, it has been a great learning experience. Leading a university organization and coordinating the opinions of various people was more complex and challenging than anything else. Since everyone's interests differ, it is difficult to reach a conclusion that satisfies all, and mutual concessions are necessary. For Sungshin Women's University, it has been a time of growth and leap. Over the past two years, I have promoted various projects for Sungshin's growth and leap and have seen the university's development potential through great learning. A university that works hard will surely grow and develop.

Specifically, in terms of educational innovation, I led the convergence and flexibilization of academic units. Starting from this year's regular admissions, we implemented broadening of recruitment units by classifying majors with high academic relevance by department. We also strengthened overseas corporate internships and corporate visit programs for students. Additionally, to strengthen research, we expanded the budget for research projects and increased research incentive support.

- Before your inauguration, you promised to lead university change through a 'bottom-up' approach rather than an artificial 'top-down' restructuring. What changes have occurred in the university after two years?

▲ Looking back over the past two years, it was not easy to immediately implement the bottom-up perspective held initially. From the bottom's viewpoint, it is difficult to build policies that see the big direction and grasp the broad framework of social change. Conversely, from the top, it is hard to consider individual detailed situations. Change requires willingness from both bottom and top and good coordination of perspectives. Therefore, I first tried to communicate and reach consensus with members, which created a shared awareness of change. I believe this awareness will trigger efforts for bottom-up change in individual academic units.

- At the beginning of your term, you mentioned 'university openness' followed by 'internationalization' as goals. Sungshin Women's University has signed agreements with various institutions and universities. What are the representative achievements?

▲ First, we changed the title for foreign students to "international students." We expanded policies previously aimed at domestic students to include foreign students and introduced domestic settlement and employment programs for them. We also developed the university's academic information system to be accessible to foreign students. The university's symbols and information are provided in various languages, and prayer rooms for religious students have been established. This represents a significant shift in perception as a multicultural university. As a result, the number of international students increased from 492 in the first half of 2022, before my inauguration, to 833 in the first half of this year, a growth of about 69%. The number of partner universities also rose from 272 to 303.

We are also actively dispatching domestic students to overseas universities. Sungshin Women's University ranked 10th among Seoul universities in the number of domestic students sent abroad. The cost of dispatching students abroad ranked 8th among Seoul universities and 13th nationwide. The proportion of students dispatched abroad increased from about 15% in the first half of 2022 to 20% in the first half of this year. Furthermore, in 2025, we plan to establish an International Studies Department with two majors: Global Korean Studies and Beauty & Fashion Design. Except for Korean language education, all major courses will be conducted 100% in English.

Sungshin Women's University President Lee Seong-geun is explaining the future and direction of the university on the 18th at Sungshin Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min

- Many universities are suffering financial difficulties due to tuition freezes. How is Sungshin Women's University managing its finances?

▲ Since this is a common problem faced by all Korean universities, it is difficult to provide a definitive answer. There are limits to covering finances through donations, so we are trying to discover new revenue sources. First, I want to create a "school enterprise." This is different from school venture companies designated by the government for possessing specific technologies. I want to create a company that the university can directly operate based on traditionally specialized fields and collaborate with society. Soon, an interesting company will be born.

- With the declining school-age population, what plans does Sungshin Women's University have to attract and nurture excellent talent?

▲ We aim to raise the university's level and redefine the university's role as a higher education institution from the ground up. Although abstract, I believe talent will come when we faithfully fulfill the basic roles of a higher education institution: research and education. Prospective students will not simply choose universities based on hierarchical criteria anymore because their options have increased. To this end, our university will attract talent through educational innovation. We plan to promote excellent professors, differentiated education, and endless changes in academic units responding to societal changes.

Sungshin Women's University President Lee Seong-geun is giving an interview on the campus grounds of Donamsujeong Campus, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul, on the 18th.
[Photo by Kim Hyun-min]

- At the beginning of your term, you promised to create a university connected to society. What do you think are the points where the university can align with society?

▲ A university connected to society means that the university must breathe together with society as a community. In other words, the university and society form one ecosystem. Students choose their academic fields considering both individual and societal aspects, return their achievements to society, and society provides feedback contributing to the university's development. Only then can they coexist. Currently, our university teaches connection with society through the concept of 3Cs: cooperation, collaboration, and connectedness. The path the university should take is to solve problems together, combine efforts while solving individual problems, and create new things through convergence.

- After your inauguration, you said you would become a 'reliable guide.' What does being a guide mean as a university president?

▲ For a leader to lead an organization, besides responsibility for the organization, the role of a guide is very important. Since my inauguration, I have tried to apply insights from business administration to university management. The essence of business administration is setting organizational goals and enabling cooperation among many people for resource allocation to achieve those goals. I thought business administration could be well utilized in leading a university. Furthermore, my experience in the corporate world also helps in presenting the university's direction.

Sungkeun Lee, President of Sungshin Women's University, is giving an interview to Asia Economy on the 18th at Sungshin Women's University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Hyunmin Kim]

- You have two years left in your term. Are there any policies you want to pursue during the remaining term?

▲ There are two. First, I want to achieve complete educational innovation. I want to break the traditional form of university higher education. Second, financial independence. Also, I want to promote cooperation and connection among academic disciplines. Nowadays, one discipline instinctively needs knowledge from others. Academia no longer exists alone but connects and converges with other disciplines. During the remaining term, I will lead a change in thinking about the importance of academic convergence.