Busan National University to Host Academic and Cultural Exchange with 200 Scholars and Students from Prestigious US Universities and Companies

President Choi Jaewon Promotes 'Global Connection Toward the Future'

Over 200 scholars and students from prestigious Ivy League universities in the U.S. East Coast, including Harvard University, as well as global corporations, will come to Pusan National University in June next year to hold academic and cultural exchange events under the theme of "Global Connection Toward the Future."

Pusan National University announced on the 4th that President Choi Jae-won and his delegation visited major cities in the United States and Canada from November 22 to December 1, engaging in multifaceted exchange activities aimed at strengthening global cooperation with overseas prestigious universities, global companies, educational institutions, academic exchanges, attracting international students, and expanding alumni networking.

During the tour, President Choi Jae-won reached an agreement with scholars from Harvard University that from June 1 to 5, 2025, a group of over 200 scholars, researchers, and students from major Ivy League universities and cutting-edge global companies in the U.S. East Coast will visit Pusan National University for a 4-night, 5-day event.

President Choi agreed to hold cultural and academic exchange events under the theme "Global Connection Toward the Future." This event was made possible through the promise and arrangement of Rebekah Kim, Harvard University chaplain, who visited Korea to deliver a congratulatory speech at President Choi’s inauguration ceremony in June this year.

Accordingly, the academic and cultural exchange event between Pusan National University and American scholars next year will see significant participation from students and scholars representing the U.S. East Coast, including Harvard University, MIT, Wellesley College, Boston University, Boston College, UPenn (University of Pennsylvania), Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, and Georgetown University.

Additionally, experts from global IT companies such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google will also join this exchange visit, providing opportunities for discussions on cooperation related to advanced technologies and networking, which is expected to contribute to enhancing the prestige of both Pusan National University and the nation.

President Choi Jae-won stated, “Pusan National University is actively promoting cooperation with alumni and the international community to leap forward as an educational institution that cultivates global leaders. Through next year’s event, we will provide opportunities for our researchers and students to enhance their international capabilities and establish a stepping stone to the global stage.” He added, “We plan to focus not only on academic exchanges but also on creating practical cooperation opportunities in IT and advanced industrial fields.”

In addition to discussing academic exchange cooperation plans during this tour, President Choi also consulted on expanding overseas alumni networks and attracting potential international students, achieving various outcomes including interviews with local media.

President Choi visited alumni associations in Los Angeles and New York in the U.S., as well as Vancouver in Canada, sharing Pusan National University’s global vision ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2026 and strengthening cooperation and communication with alumni. Alumni who met with President Choi expressed their intention to actively cooperate and discuss various support measures for the development of their alma mater.

He also visited the Korean Education Center in Los Angeles to discuss attracting local international students and educational cooperation, and met with the Grace & Mercy Foundation (G&M Foundation) in New York to discuss securing overseas NGO internships for students and operating joint programs, promoting the excellence of Pusan National University and conducting activities to attract potential international students.

Notably, Pusan National University plans to officially sign an MOU next February with the ‘Seed of Hope Foundation,’ a nonprofit educational organization represented by Harvard University chaplain Rebekah Kim. Through this agreement, the two institutions plan to further strengthen global educational cooperation.

President Choi Jae-won said, “This North American trip was an important time for Pusan National University, as a member of APRU (Association of Pacific Rim Universities), to prepare for a greater leap on the global stage and lay the groundwork for it.” He added, “We meaningfully accomplished two tasks: strengthening Pusan National University’s position as a global university competing with prestigious overseas universities in the major leagues, and expanding international exchanges and overseas alumni networks.”