Ghent University celebrates 10th anniversary of its campus in Korea with ambitious future plan
Ghent University celebrates 10th anniversary of its campus in Korea with ambitious future planGhent University is the only Flemish university with a campus abroad and the first European university at the Incheon Global Campus. The Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.
Ghent University celebrates 10th anniversary of its campus in Korea with ambitious future plan
(23-08-2024)
Ghent University is the only Flemish university with a campus abroad and the first European university at the Incheon Global Campus. The Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this week.
From its inception, GUGC has been active in the broad field of molecular biotechnology, food technology and environmental technology. Meanwhile, a total of 900 people learn, live and work on the campus: 700 students and 200 employees.
After ten years of pioneering work, Ghent University is ready for the next step. In addition to the Bachelor's degrees (which, unlike in Flanders, comprise four years of training and, as in most countries, are considered a full-fledged final degree), Ghent University also wants to offer Master's programs and additional doctoral trackson its campus in Korea in a few years' time for those who want to delve further into research.
The plan to establish a “graduate school” is a key element in our future vision for the campus. This will allow us to attract, train and support new generations of researchers in their further careers. The close intertwining of education and research is crucial for a research-driven university such as Ghent University. With the further strengthening of our activities in Korea, we are fully drawing the card of internationalization and excellence. - Rector Rik Van de Walle
In the future, the campus in Korea will become even more of a home for international talent. Ghent University will focus strongly on research and innovation as well as new learning methods. Not only Korean or international but also Ghent students can spend part of their study career there and thus hone their intercultural skills.
Expansion Marine@UGent
For many years, Ghent University has been a global player in the field of marine and maritime sciences. The knowledge center Marine@UGent now brings together more than 500 researchers who are not only active in oceanography and marine biology but also in the fields of maritime law, archaeology, social sciences and technology.
Building on this, the Korea Institute of Marine@UGent was established this week.
The Korean peninsula boasts a gigantic coastline and a very large marine biodiversity, which is especially interesting for high-quality marine research. The start of the Korea Institute of Marine@UGent is in line with our ambition to be among the absolute world leaders in the broad field of maritime and marine sciences. The new center will also be a catalyst for new collaborations and partnerships, both in Korea and elsewhere. - Prof. Jana Asselman
From extended campus to faculty?
Currently, GUGC is a so-called 'extended campus' but it is the express wish of the campus to become more strongly embedded in the Ghent University structures in the future. Therefore, the process is started to further integrate the campus step by step into the functioning of Ghent University, with the ultimate goal of creating a new faculty.
Behind the intended maximum integration of the campus into our Ghent University structures lies the ambition to create an environment in which researchers, lecturers and other staff, and of course students, can develop to their full potential. All this in interaction with colleagues and fellow students, both at GUGC and on our home campuses in Flanders. - Rector Rik Van de Walle
In the coming period, Ghent University will map out what is desirable and feasible, responding optimally to the Korean social, educational and research context.
