Wellington College UK and Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority Sign Establishment MOU at City Hall, 2:20 PM on 22nd
City and Economic Zone Authority to Provide Administrative Support; Promise to Introduce Main Campus Education System and Services in Korea, Issue Equivalent Graduation Certificates
On the afternoon of the 22nd at 2:20 PM, the city of Busan will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the Wellington College International Busan Campus with Wellington College from the UK and the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority at the city hall’s video conference room.
Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, executives from Wellington College, and Kim Kiyoung, Commissioner of the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, are scheduled to attend the signing ceremony in person and sign the agreement.
The Wellington College executives attending include Felicity Kirk (Senior Director), Naima Charlier (Senior Director), and Edwin Wai (Finance Director).
This MOU has been arranged to facilitate mutual cooperation between the city, the world-renowned Wellington College, and the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority for the establishment of the ‘Wellington College International Busan Campus’ in Myeongji International New City.
This agreement is the result of continuous efforts led by Mayor Park to attract a world-class foreign educational institution to Busan.
Full-scale discussions began last September when Mayor Park met with executives from Wellington College during their first visit to Busan. Since then, city officials, including the Director of the Digital Economy Office, visited Wellington College in the UK in the first half of this year to actively pursue the establishment of the Busan campus.
Wellington College was established in 1859 in Berkshire, UK, named after the Duke of Wellington. With a tradition spanning over 160 years, it is a globally prestigious school, with an average of 20 to 30 graduates advancing to Oxford and Cambridge universities each year. The college has already successfully operated overseas campuses in China, Thailand, and India.
In the ‘World’s Best High Schools 2024’ ranking released by the renowned American media outlet CEO World, Wellington College was ranked 63rd globally.
The Wellington College campus that opened in Shanghai, China in 2014 is considered among the top in the country, and the application rate for Wellington College Bangkok has reached record highs every year.
With the signing of this MOU, the city and the Free Economic Zone Authority will provide administrative support such as permits and approvals for the establishment of the ‘Wellington College International Busan Campus,’ while Wellington College promises to introduce an educational system and services equal to those of the main campus and to issue certifications equivalent to those of the main campus graduates.
Starting with this agreement, the city will continue detailed discussions with Wellington College, the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, the government, and other related organizations for the establishment of the ‘Wellington College International Busan Campus’ and will actively proceed with the necessary administrative procedures.
The plan is to open a kindergarten and elementary school on a 12,900-square-meter site at 3638 Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu by 2027. Specific details such as admission requirements will be determined in consultation with the school and announced prior to opening.
With improved living conditions for foreigners, Busan is expected to accelerate its realization as a global hub city and provide citizens with expanded opportunities to receive high-quality education from a world-class school.
Wellington College also plans to introduce the top-tier curriculum and operational know-how applied at its overseas campuses to the Busan campus. Through the establishment of the Busan campus, it aims to build the ‘Wellingtonians Network,’ connecting Busan, Korea to other cities across Asia.
Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, “Currently, the only regions with foreign educational institutions in Korea are Incheon (2) and Daegu (1). It is a source of great pride for Busan citizens that a prestigious global school has chosen to partner with our city outside the capital region. This MOU signals the beginning of establishing the nation’s top-level, Asia-focused foreign educational institution in the southern region, breaking away from the capital-centric system. As the future of the city depends on nurturing global talent, I expect the ‘Wellington College International Busan Campus’ to be the final puzzle piece for Busan’s leap as a ‘global hub city,’ alongside the opening of the new Gadeokdo airport and the development of Eco Delta City and Myeongji International New City. The city will do its utmost to provide administrative support for the establishment of the Wellington College International Busan Campus.”
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