Dean David M. Van Slyke visited the Republic of Korea in early December as part of the Maxwell School’s centennial celebration and in recognition of the school’s strong relationship with the republic. While there, the dean met with Maxwell alumni, elected officials and leaders from several top universities, setting in motion plans for an even stronger working academic relationship in the years ahead. Van Slyke was joined on the trip by Kristen Patel, professor of practice of policy studies and Donald P. and Margaret Curry Gregg Professor of Practice in Korean and East Asian Affairs.

On the first stop, the dean visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, meeting with institute leadership including Professor Jaemin Jung, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Convergence Science; Professor Sung-Pil Park, chair of the Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy (GFS); and Professor Yongseok Seo, also of GFS. As part of the visit, Maxwell and KAIST signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to increase academic collaboration and to develop programs that will allow students to spend a semester or more at Maxwell as they complete their degree.

Later in the trip, Van Slyke visited Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Seoul, where he joined Dean Sangho Moon and Vice Dean Shin Eunjin to sign another MOU. The agreement sets forth plans to enhance academic partnership and to create opportunities for students to undertake study programs at Maxwell as part of their degree completion. While at SKKU, Van Slyke attended the Korea Association for Policy Studies (KAPS) conference, where he gave a research presentation to faculty, students and other conference attendees.

During his stay in Seoul, the dean also visited Korea University, where he met Kyojun Koo, dean of the College of Political Science and Economics, Professor Haeil Jung and Professor Yoonsuh Jung. He also visited and toured Dongseo University in Busan, where he met with Chancellor Jekuk Chang L’93 and Kyongho Kenneth Hahn, dean and head of international affairs.

“It was a productive trip that took us to universities throughout the Republic of Korea,” Van Slyke said. “There is no doubt the academic bridges built during our time in Korea will certainly benefit students and faculty at all the institutions involved, including the Maxwell community. We look forward to the fruits of these partnerships in the years ahead.”

While forging connections with higher education leaders was a primary goal of the dean’s visit, one of the highlights of the trip was the centennial celebration, with special guest the Honorable Na Kyung-won, a five-term member of the Korean National Assembly. The evening event brought together more than 60 Maxwell alumni, academic partners and other dignitaries to celebrate the impact of the school and its global community.

By Cort Ruddy