President SUNG Nak-in (left) and Seoul Mayor PARK Won-soon

On April 26, SNU President SUNG Nak-in and Seoul Mayor PARK Won-soon held the “Seoul City-Seoul National University Summit” at the SNU Administration Building. During the event, President Sung signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mayor Park, as an agreement to create more jobs for youth and also revive the local community. The Summit was organized as part of “Employment Trail 2016,” the representative employment policy of Seoul Metropolitan Government that aims to provide solutions for employment hardship. Through this agreement, the two institutions will search for practical cooperative measures while recognizing the gravity of challenges faced by youths, such as unemployment and career exploration.

More specifically, SNU will build the Urban Data Science Innovation Campus within Gaepo Digital Innovation Park, which is to be completed later this year. Since this Innovation Park was originally designed to cultivate creative individuals and produce new growth, SNU expects that its Innovation Campus will be able to educate young people about software and Big Data, resolve urban problems and support related venture projects.

In addition, SNU and Seoul discussed collaboration regarding"Youth Fund Platform" in order to support and promote exemplary startup businesses. With investment funds raised by organizations such as the Seoul Business Agency (SBA), Seoul plans to assist startups beginning this July.

A third aspect of cooperation between SNU and Seoul is the"Remodeled Share House" project. Aiming to reduce housing difficulties among the younger generation, SNU and Seoul will remodel old motels and Goshiwon buildings (accommodation for people studying for governmental exams) in Sillim-dong so as to provide share houses and studio rooms for one- or two-member households.

After the Summit, President Sung and Mayor Park visited the College of Engineering's Haedong Idea Factory to explore the facilities and listen to students' opinions. The Idea Factory is a creative space where students can transform their ideas into actual productions by using equipment such as 3D printers, 3D scanners and laser cutters.

“A key obligation of universities should be to share its capabilities and intellectual assets with the society, thereby contributing to solving societal problems,” said President Sung. “With Seoul City, SNU will strive to resolve urgent issues that our society encounters.”

Written by YOON Jiwon, SNU English Editor, jiwonyoon@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Professor Travis Smith, Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, tlsmith@snu.ac.kr