Partner Profile: University of Seoul

NC State is excited to celebrate a 20-year partnership with the University of Seoul (UoS), a public university in South Korea enrolling 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students across eight colleges. The recent visit on January 11 and 12 marks a significant milestone in our journey of bilateral student exchanges and joint ventures.

The primary purpose of this visit was to commemorate two decades of successful bilateral student exchanges. During the visit, a signing ceremony was held to extend the student exchange program and the partnership for another five years. Numerous discussions centered around exploring future possibilities for innovation within our partnership. The focus was on exploring new avenues of collaboration, particularly in fields such as engineering, and opportunities for student research.

As we reflect on our partnership with UoS, it’s not just the academic collaborations that stand out but also the unique cultural exchanges. For instance, their peer mentors for exchange students are known as ‘Seoul Mates,’ a playful nod of the supportive companionship these mentors provide. Such charming nuances enhance cultural exchange and embody the camaraderie that defines our enduring partnership.

Over the years, NC State has sent 29 students to UoS, and reciprocally, UoS has sent 35 students to NC State. Collaborative research efforts have resulted in 32 co-authored publications across diverse topics including electrical engineering, computer science, microbial biology, mathematics, physics and civil engineering.

With distinguished faculty, students, and administration, UoS maintains the lowest student-to-faculty ratio and the highest rate of financial investment per student in South Korea. It has consistently ranked among the top non-medical Korean universities, reflecting its excellence in education and research across disciplines.

This long standing partnership reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, research, and global collaboration. As we celebrate our two-decade journey, we look forward to continuing to strengthen and expand our collaboration for years to come.