Chonnam National University Significantly Expands Global Cooperation Base at International Education Event

Jang Heehyuk, Director of International Cooperation at Chonnam National University (far right), and Kang Shinhye, International Exchange Team Leader, are taking a commemorative photo with officials after the '2025 NAFSA' event. Provided by Chonnam National University

Chonnam National University significantly expanded its practical foundation for international cooperation by participating in 'NAFSA 2025,' the world's largest international education event, and successfully holding exchange meetings with 48 universities from 21 countries.

According to Chonnam National University on June 10, the university participated in the '2025 NAFSA: Association of International Educators Annual Conference & Expo' (hereafter NAFSA 2025), held in San Diego, United States, from May 27 to 31. During the event, the university successfully conducted exchange meetings with 48 universities from 21 countries around the world.

NAFSA is the world's largest annual international education event, bringing together over 8,000 higher education professionals from more than 100 countries. Chonnam National University was represented by Jang Heehyuk, Director of International Cooperation, and Kang Shinhye, International Exchange Team Leader. They engaged in practical discussions to promote new agreements, strengthen cooperation with existing partner universities, and expand multilateral networks.

At this event, first-time meetings were held with 14 universities from 9 countries, initiating discussions for the signing of new agreements. Among these, talks with Orebro University in Sweden opened the possibility for Chonnam National University to establish its first Swedish partner university. Negotiations with Pace University in Manhattan, New York, also made significant progress toward an agreement, further broadening the geographical scope of international cooperation.

Additionally, official face-to-face meetings were held for the first time with the University of Tasmania in Australia and Dublin City University in Ireland, both of which recently signed agreements with Chonnam National University. These meetings reviewed the status of initial exchanges and included in-depth discussions on expanding student exchange and academic collaboration. The university also explored various ways to attract more American students through its partnership with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), a leading U.S. study abroad consortium.

During the event, Chonnam National University was invited to various networking events, such as the SAF Annual Reception, St. Cloud State University Reception, and the Hong Kong partner university reception, thereby expanding the scope of its cooperation. At the 'Global Link-Up Day' session, hosted by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), the university discussed ways to strengthen Korea-U.S. cooperation in STEM fields with major American universities, including Colorado State University, University of Notre Dame, and Rutgers University.

Furthermore, the university actively pursued practical international cooperation projects with various countries and institutions, including discussions on establishing new joint international education programs with Kyushu University in Japan (both online and offline), and ongoing cooperation for dispatching Korean language instructors to Salisbury University in the United States.

Jang Heehyuk, Director of International Cooperation at Chonnam National University, stated, "Our participation in NAFSA 2025 has further strengthened our strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide." He added, "We will continue to build a sustainable international cooperation ecosystem where education, research, and exchange are organically connected, aiming to realize a globalized campus with enhanced global competencies."