 |
SUNY’s Korea campus, housed in Songdo Global University Campus |
The Incheon Free Economic Zone has invested in attracting global educational institutes, in the belief that it is important to attract global talent to build the reputation of Songdo as an international city.
It has made efforts to provide the facilities and resources to educate high-caliber talented people. At the center of these efforts is Songdo Global University Campus, which just completed its first stage of development.
Located on a 295,000-square-meter site in the seventh zone of Songdo International City, the campus is mandated to establish a pleasant living environment for foreign residents and to attract undergraduate and graduate programs from internationally recognized universities. For this, the complex has built educational and research buildings, dormitories and apartments for professors. In addition, a variety of student support facilities are available, including an auditorium, library, gym and guest house.
The campus attracted the State University of New York Korea last year. It was the first American university to open a campus in Korea, and SUNY Korea launched an undergraduate program on March 12 this year. U.S.-based George Manson University will also open a campus here in the second half of this year.
Ghent University, a prominent Belgian university, and Utah University from the U.S. are also considering opening campuses in Songdo Global University Campus next year.
Local universities also plan to open global campuses in the area. Last March, IFEZ and Incheon Catholic University signed a memorandum of understanding to start administrative procedures for the construction of its global campus. The project includes plans to construct an international kindergarten, international language center, international exchange center, industry-campus research center, graduate school of arts and theological graduate school.
“I believe attracting global campuses and talent will make a significant contribution to building a global education hub in Korea,’’ said IFEZ commissioner Lee Jong-cheol.
By Seo Jee-yeon (
jyseo@heraldcorp.com)
