PKU News, May 10, 2012: Headed by Professor Oh Yeon-Cheon, President of Seoul National University (SNU), a delegation from SNU visited Peking University (PKU) on May 7, 2012. Professor Zhou Qifeng, President of PKU, warmly welcomed the delegation at the Tan Sui Lin Center for International Studies.

President Zhou (right) and President Oh Yeon-Cheon (left)

Zhou gave a welcome remark at the meeting. He recalled the cooperation history between the two universities since 1993, a year right after China and South Korea established formal foreign relations. “In the past nineteen years”, he said, “PKU and SNU has been collaborating in many fields covering research and student exchange programs, I hope both of us benefit from our further collaboration”.

SNU President Oh Yeon-Cheon attached great significance to the friendship in the last nineteen years. He regarded the meeting as an important event for PKU and SNU to jointly create a better future.

“We have accomplished the first step successfully with our efforts. Now, it`s time for us to start the second stage and bring our collaboration to a higher level. That`s why we are here.” President Oh said, “That is our mission, to make the world better.”

Chaired by two vice presidents, Li Yansong of PKU and Kim Junki of SNU, a seminar entitled “Strengthening the Academic Relationship in the 21st Century” was held jointly after the meeting.

As one of the most important part of the visit, the Campus Asia Program was extensively discussed at the meeting. Deans from both universities exchanged their views on the Campus Asia Program, while professors shared experiences in overseas students, financial aids for foreign programs and Asian values in globalization.

Extended Reading:

Campus Asia Program is a joint committee made up of government officials from China, Japan, and South Korea met in April 2010 to have worked on an agreement encouraging regional academic exchange. Much like the Erasmus program, the Collective Action for the Mobility Program of University Student (CAMPUS) Asia program aims to harmonize the three higher education systems allowing for the joint recognition of academic credits, development of exchange programs and agreements, and quality control.

Written by: Zhang Jiang
Source: Office of International Relations, PKU