Good morning. I am Honglim Ryu, the 28th president of Seoul National University. I sincerely thank our faculty, staff, and students for taking the time to be here today. I also express my deep gratitude to our former presidents, the president of the alumni association, the chairman of the Education Committee, and many other distinguished guests, who have made time amid their busy schedules. I am infinitely honored by your presence.
As I am inaugurated as the president of Seoul National University today, I cannot help but remember my first day on this campus as a college freshman 43 years ago, and again in 1995 when I started my academic career at SNU as an assistant professor. I was once a student with a heart full of hopes and dreams about the future, and then a faculty member shouldering the sense of anticipation as well as responsibility. Now, I am about to embark on a new journey accompanied by heavier set of responsibilities.
I solemnly pledge in your presence that I will dedicate myself to the trust you have placed in me with this title, with my utmost efforts to meet the expectations of all of you who are deeply devoted to our university. I pledge to consult the wisdom and capabilities of the members of our community, seeking your diverse perspectives and ideas on various issues, no matter how big or small.
Dear members of Seoul National University and distinguished guests!
I have been reflecting on the weight of the motto of our school, “The University of the Nation and the People.” Beyond being a school for higher education, Seoul National University has been a vital part of the history of our country’s extraordinary development. Countless members of Seoul National University, with their wisdom and vision, were always instrumental in the process of unprecedented industrialization and democratization of our nation. In this sense, Seoul National University has been, and continues to be, a University of the People, endowed with their categorical commitment and devotion. As the new president, I feel that my foremost duty is to carry on this proud tradition and pass it on to the next generation.
Carrying on this proud tradition requires us to stand up to multidimensional challenges. We are tasked with creating a new educational paradigm in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In research, complex undertakings await us as well. Amid the rapid and unpredictable advancements in science and technology, we must compete with research institutes around the world and produce superior research outcomes. In addition to these tasks, we also need to cultivate leaders with compassion in order to remedy the extreme polarization of our society. Considering the risks and challenges our nation faces today, the role entrusted to our school is immense. Seoul National University must completely renew itself to rise to the demands of this era of great transformation.
Our imagination molds our future. For our university to remain as the leader amidst the shifting environment and the changing societal demands, we must pre-emptively reconfigure the framework and content of our education, research, and contribution to society, starting with their basic core. We must build a new undergraduate program that integrates the core curriculum designed to enhance our students’ core competency with the pedagogical framework to advance their domain knowledge. We must also establish a creative interdisciplinary research platform suitable to challenge the difficult problems in our modern society. Furthermore, we must embody the true spirit of compassion, transcending boundaries and differences.
Dear members of Seoul National University and distinguished guests!
Today, I declare my commitment to building the framework for the great transformation of our university in response to these multidimensional challenges. I will proactively lead our effort in transforming our university in order to bring qualitative changes in higher education, as well as to support innovative research that will pioneer the future of our society.
I would like to begin by transforming our education. The current system in which students, confined to their “home departments” all throughout four years, merely go through the curriculums of their compartmentalized departments – acquiring knowledge only in narrow domains – needs to be terminated now.
We can no longer delay educating the future leaders who can cross the boundaries of different fields and critically challenge the established norms of our society. The “Seoul National University education” will encourage students of different minds and backgrounds to learn from each other through lively discussions and become a model for our country’s educational system. We will construct undergraduate systems and programs designed to enhance the core competencies of our students, and in turn, redefine what it means to be educated at Seoul National University.
In addition, research at Seoul National University can no longer be confined to the physical boundaries of our campus. It is no longer enough for us to pursue comprehensive, multidisciplinary research. We must now expand the endeavors of our research beyond the walls of our campus, engaging with the field experts and validating their relevance. We will create an innovative research ecosystem connecting the private sector, local governments, and universities. We will build a convergence research platform that channels corporate funds, local government budgets, and university manpower into research and development. This ecosystem will bring together large global companies, small and-medium-sized enterprises, and venture companies to cooperate in supporting technology-oriented start-ups and venture companies by providing them with problem-solving consultation services.
The experience of learning and conducting research with peers of diverse backgrounds – engaging in lively discussions, building solidarity beyond boundaries, and critically reflecting on the ideas that have shaped our world so far – will become the nurturing soil from which the students of Seoul National University will grow into compassionate leaders who always look toward those in need. We at Seoul National University will play an active role in transforming this experience into globally shared values that contribute to our nation and humanity. We will create a new model of social impact in which education and research are intrinsically linked with the spirit of true compassion.
Dear members of the Seoul National University community!
The great transformation I envision will complete the vision our university has been working towards since merging our multiple campuses half a century ago, as well as the process of incorporatization of our university. We have been making slow but steady steps toward achieving synergy between proper integration and enhancing our autonomy and creativity. Creating an independent university environment that cultivates bold and daring young minds and encourages unhindered research to flourish takes time to implement. Still, we must now take firm steps in this direction.
Each member of Seoul National University has infinite potential. By bringing these creative minds together, we can proactively point out the direction our nation must take. Unfortunately, inefficient systems and regulations implemented out of distrust block us from realizing our full potential.
Ultimately, the force to transform our school must be born from our mutual trust in one another and our will to put our ideals into practice. I will pursue a model of governance based on trust rather than unilateral regulation to bring out the passion each of you holds within. My vision for Seoul National University is to create an academic community where all members feel at home to pursue their aspirations and goals freely and happily, naturally giving arise to outstanding achievements that contribute to our nation and humanity.
Achieving creative and pioneering education and research will strengthen the trust bestowed by the public. This will, in turn, give us the impetus to create new knowledge and value-added for humanity in our quest to contribute further to our nation and society, thereby rewarding us with more public confidence. I hope we can work together to build a platform for this virtuous cycle of freedom and trust.
Dear guests and fellow citizens!
Universities are our hope for the future. Our vision of Seoul National University as an academic community devoted to building a better future for our nation and humanity is not a manifestation of institutional narcissism. Rather, it is an obligation our people and the history of our country place upon us. I will bolster my courage and take the lead in rising to this order.
Once again, thank you for your interest in and support of Seoul National University. Please watch over our great transformation, extending your encouragement and criticism. I will channel all my efforts into serving Seoul National University on its mission to revive hope in our country and humanity, and ultimately pave the way for a bright future. Thank you.
February 8, 2023
Honglim Ryu
President of Seoul National University