Dong-A University BK21 Phase 4 Global Tourism SDGs Education and Research Team Hosts International Academic Forum in China

All Chinese Graduates Who Participated in BK21 Phase 4 Attend,
Fostering Academic Exchange Between Alumni and Current Students
MOUs Signed with Shanxi University and Xi'an International Studies University
to Promote Human Resource and Academic Collaboration

Dong-A University (President Lee Haewoo) announced on the 8th that the Department of Tourism Management’s BK21 Phase 4 ‘Global Tourism SDGs Education and Research Team’ (led by Professor Choi Gyuhwan) held an international academic forum in China.

The BK21-4 Phase Global Tourism SDGs Education and Research Team of Dong-A University is holding an international academic forum in China and taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Dong-A University

The event, recently held at two locations in China?Shanxi University in Shanxi Province and Xi’an International Studies University?included about 40 participants, such as team leader Choi Gyuhwan, professors Hwang Younghyun, Yoon Haejin, Song Myunggeun, Kang Sanghun, Park Sungbin, graduate students, and Chinese alumni who participated in the BK21 Phase 4 project and have since returned to China. The forum provided an opportunity for academic exchange regarding Chinese tourism policies and operational cases related to the SDGs.

The first part of the event at Shanxi University featured an academic forum on the theme of ‘Application and Expansion of SDGs in the Tourism Industry’ and an exchange of research ideas between Korean and Chinese graduate students. The second part, held at Xi’an International Studies University, focused on academic exchange regarding ‘Current Status and Successful Cases of China’s SDGs-related Policies.’

The Dong-A University ‘Global Tourism SDGs Education and Research Team’ also signed MOUs with Shanxi University and Xi’an International Studies University during this visit to promote student exchanges and academic collaboration among faculty and graduate students.

Professor Choi Gyuhwan stated, “A significant achievement is that all Chinese students who returned to China after participating in the BK21 Phase 4 project have been appointed as full-time faculty members at four-year universities. We planned this event to provide a platform for networking and strengthening bonds between alumni and current graduate students. I hope that the experiences and advice of our alumni will be passed on to their juniors, and that the current graduate students will use this as a foundation to achieve a smooth transition and maximize academic outcomes in the BK21 Phase 4 project.”

Peng Lei, a doctoral student who participated in the academic event, said, “I am very pleased to meet Chinese alumni who became full-time faculty members in China after participating in the BK21 Phase 4 project. Hearing about their study methods and learning various details about faculty recruitment in China has motivated me to do my best to become an excellent scholar like my seniors after graduation.”

The Dong-A University ‘Global Tourism SDGs Education and Research Team’ plans to continue expanding international academic exchanges related to the SDGs with alumni and local faculty not only in China but also in the United States, Southeast Asia, and other regions.

‘SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)’ refer to the 17 common goals for humanity adopted at the 70th UN General Assembly in 2015, to be achieved by 2030. These goals aim to realize the vision of sustainable development and the direction humanity should pursue in five areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.