Event: 2014 SNU ISI Closing Ceremony
Date: 18:30, August 6 (Wed), 2014
Venue: Auditorium, Cultural Center
Dear members of ISI faculty and staff, and the 8th graduates of Seoul
National University’s International Summer Institute.
It is my pleasure to be here with you today, not only because this is my
first time to give a speech to the students of the International Summer
Institute, but also because this is my first public speech in English since
assuming the position as President of Seoul National University last month
and I am very delighted that you are my first audience.
Over the past decade, Seoul National University has been putting great
focus on internationalization. The goal of SNU’s internationalization can be
summed up simply as “SNU in the World, and the World in SNU.” We hope
to provide more international experiences to our students, and also to bring
more international students to SNU. And this is not just about the physical
experience of being abroad or having international students physically on
SNU campus.
It is also and more importantly about the sharing of common values and
ideals and bringing greater understanding amongst the future leaders of the
world and around the world. Of the many programs Seoul National
University has and runs, the International Summer Institute is one of the
central programs that fulfill this goal. Through ISI, Seoul National University
becomes the base for students from universities all around the world to
interact and learn, not only from the distinguished professors who teach
courses in this program, but from one another.
And I am happy to hear that this year’s program has been a huge
success, thanks to the brilliant professors and eager-to-learn students. And
that you are my first public audience holds great meaning to me personally,
because by being on stage here today, I am able to meet you and thank
you for being such a great addition to our university community.
At SNU, we emphasize honesty, integrity and community to our students
and expect them to carry those values with them after they graduate,
throughout their future. We consider not only academic performance but
also personal ideals to be an essential part of our students’ future. We also
encourage the students to branch out, to step into the world and think
globally. Although your stay at SNU has only been six weeks, you are duly
our students as well, and we hope that we were able to instill these values
and to encourage you in this way as well.
I also hope all of you have had the chance to challenge yourself
academically and experience the Korean culture to the fullest. As you journey
back to their home countries, I hope you carry with you fond memories of
summer spent here in Seoul National University, Korea. I believe that all of
you will, as you did this summer, make the most of your lives.
Thank you for joining us this year and congratulations. I wish you all the
best in your future endeavors.
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