On 23 October, the Ambassador of South Korea to Poland Hoonmin Lim visited Collegium Novum, where he was met by JU Rector Prof. Jacek Popiel and JU Vice-Rector for International Relations Prof. Dorota Malec. The programme of the visit featured a lecture in English at the JU Institute of the Middle and Far East and a tour of the oldest University building, Collegium Maius.
Prof. Dorota Malec stated that about 20 to 30 Jagiellonian University students visit South Korea as part of various mobility programmes. Though the COVID-19 pandemic largely decreased the frequency of these visits, there have been more and more of them lately. Additionally, over the last 5 years there have been nearly 300 collaborative studies carried out by Jagiellonian University researchers and members of South Korean academic and scientific centres (mostly in the area of exact and natural sciences), which illustrates the strength of the relationships between the two parties.
Prof. Jacek Popiel addressed the issue of Korean Studies at the Jagiellonian University, previously mentioned by Prof. Malec. Within the framework of this study programme, students can continue their education in South Korea. Establishing this programme had many beneficial results and opened a new chapter in the history of the collaboration between the Jagiellonian University and South Korean higher education institutions. JU Rector also mentioned the fact that graduates of Polish Studies stimulate the development of Polish-Korean cultural transfer, which not only positively affects the culture of both countries, but is also good for the economy.
Ambassador Hoonmin Lim stressed that the Embassy is ready to support any initiatives that would serve to strengthen the scientific relationship between South Korea and Poland, including those involving further development of bilateral student and staff exchanges. He added that due to joint projects that will soon be carried out by the Polish and Korean governments (e.g. in the energy sector) as well as because of the enormous effort needed to rebuild Ukraine, South Korean businesses will soon search for highly qualified and well-educated specialists. This paves the way for an even more active cooperation between the Jagiellonian University and South Korean Embassy.
