Selected Speeches
Dr. Leeserved as the President of SNU from 2006 to 2010. These are selected speeches during his presidency.
10th Anniversary of the Graduate School of International Studies(GSIS) (Oct. 23, 2007 )
HIT: 21190
Congratulatory Address
10th Anniversary of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS)
Dr. Jang-Moo Lee
President of Seoul National University
October 23, 2007
Dean Mr. Taeho Bark, His Excellency, Ambassador Chua of Singapore, distinguished guests, professors, students, and staff members of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS),
Good afternoon. I am very happy to be here today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the GSIS at Seoul National University (SNU).
Let me first congratulate the GSIS on its 10 years of successful development and deeply acknowledge and thank former and current deans, professors, students, and staff members who have generously put in all those efforts. Your outstanding contribution has made the GSIS what it is today.
When Seoul National University began its international studies program 10 years ago, the infrastructure of the school was very poor, with only 3 full-time faculty members. However, today, the GSIS has grown to be a full-fledged professional school of international studies with more than 200 students, 17 full-time professors, and 7 distinguished visiting professors. I am very proud to recognize that our GSIS has become the most comprehensive graduate school of international studies throughout Korea.
As its name implies, the GSIS has been the pioneer in global education and research at Seoul National University. Basically, all classes are delivered in English, with a few exceptions being those that use local languages for area studies programs. In addition, the student body of the GSIS is globally indeed, embracing approximately 30% of international students from nearly 20 countries. Moreover, internationally renowned faculty members and experts such as Professors Kent Calder and David Straub from Johns Hopkins University have taught at the GSIS as visiting professors. I understand that Mr. Kazuhiko Togo, the former ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands, is teaching a course on Japanese foreign policy this semester as a visiting professor. These features clearly demonstrate that the educational environment at the GSIS has become truly international.
Furthermore, the GSIS has become a must-visit destination at our university for many respected figures who, through the Distinguished Lecturer Program, communicate with our students and professors. As I remember, the prime ministers of both Denmark and Italy have given speeches at the GSIS, and the list goes on to include Mr. George Soros, Professor Francis Fukuyama, and Director-General Kandeh Yumkella of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Distinguished guests,
In this age of internationalization, professional schools like the GSIS will play an even more important role. We understand that internationalization signifies the rapid and voluminous movement of people, information, capital, goods, services, and cultures across national boundaries around the world. As stated in its mission, the GSIS aims at preparing students for leadership positions in governments, businesses, and the non-governmental spheres. The important challenge that the GSIS is faced with today lies in actually training our students for such a future. The GSIS should not only provide students with the knowledge and vision to be leaders on national and international levels but help them to understand the dynamics of global governance.
In this regard, the GSIS has boasts remarkable accomplishments. One such evidence can be found in the GSIS alumni. According to a recent survey conducted by the GSIS, despite their participation in diverse sectors, nearly all GSIS graduates are working on international projects at their respective institutions. This demonstrates very well that the GSIS has contributed to the process of internationalization in Korea by producing young international experts equipped with knowledge and professional experiences in many different fields. Such contribution must be duly recognized as a key achievement of the GSIS during the past 10 years.
At this point in the 10-year history of the GSIS, I see 2007 as the springboard for the school’s “second take-off.” I have no doubt whatsoever that, under the fine leadership of Dean Taeho Bark, outstanding faculty members and excellent students will do their utmost to establish the GSIS as one of the most prestigious institutions for international studies programs in East Asia and, eventually, in the world.
I would also like to ask everyone here today for continued support for and interest in the GSIS. Once again, I would like to extend my congratulations to the GSIS on all of the outstanding achievements that it has made in a rather short period. I really look forward to seeing another excellent performance of the GSIS in the next decade. Thank you very much.
10th Anniversary of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS)
Dr. Jang-Moo Lee
President of Seoul National University
October 23, 2007
Dean Mr. Taeho Bark, His Excellency, Ambassador Chua of Singapore, distinguished guests, professors, students, and staff members of the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS),
Good afternoon. I am very happy to be here today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the GSIS at Seoul National University (SNU).
Let me first congratulate the GSIS on its 10 years of successful development and deeply acknowledge and thank former and current deans, professors, students, and staff members who have generously put in all those efforts. Your outstanding contribution has made the GSIS what it is today.
When Seoul National University began its international studies program 10 years ago, the infrastructure of the school was very poor, with only 3 full-time faculty members. However, today, the GSIS has grown to be a full-fledged professional school of international studies with more than 200 students, 17 full-time professors, and 7 distinguished visiting professors. I am very proud to recognize that our GSIS has become the most comprehensive graduate school of international studies throughout Korea.
As its name implies, the GSIS has been the pioneer in global education and research at Seoul National University. Basically, all classes are delivered in English, with a few exceptions being those that use local languages for area studies programs. In addition, the student body of the GSIS is globally indeed, embracing approximately 30% of international students from nearly 20 countries. Moreover, internationally renowned faculty members and experts such as Professors Kent Calder and David Straub from Johns Hopkins University have taught at the GSIS as visiting professors. I understand that Mr. Kazuhiko Togo, the former ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands, is teaching a course on Japanese foreign policy this semester as a visiting professor. These features clearly demonstrate that the educational environment at the GSIS has become truly international.
Furthermore, the GSIS has become a must-visit destination at our university for many respected figures who, through the Distinguished Lecturer Program, communicate with our students and professors. As I remember, the prime ministers of both Denmark and Italy have given speeches at the GSIS, and the list goes on to include Mr. George Soros, Professor Francis Fukuyama, and Director-General Kandeh Yumkella of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Distinguished guests,
In this age of internationalization, professional schools like the GSIS will play an even more important role. We understand that internationalization signifies the rapid and voluminous movement of people, information, capital, goods, services, and cultures across national boundaries around the world. As stated in its mission, the GSIS aims at preparing students for leadership positions in governments, businesses, and the non-governmental spheres. The important challenge that the GSIS is faced with today lies in actually training our students for such a future. The GSIS should not only provide students with the knowledge and vision to be leaders on national and international levels but help them to understand the dynamics of global governance.
In this regard, the GSIS has boasts remarkable accomplishments. One such evidence can be found in the GSIS alumni. According to a recent survey conducted by the GSIS, despite their participation in diverse sectors, nearly all GSIS graduates are working on international projects at their respective institutions. This demonstrates very well that the GSIS has contributed to the process of internationalization in Korea by producing young international experts equipped with knowledge and professional experiences in many different fields. Such contribution must be duly recognized as a key achievement of the GSIS during the past 10 years.
At this point in the 10-year history of the GSIS, I see 2007 as the springboard for the school’s “second take-off.” I have no doubt whatsoever that, under the fine leadership of Dean Taeho Bark, outstanding faculty members and excellent students will do their utmost to establish the GSIS as one of the most prestigious institutions for international studies programs in East Asia and, eventually, in the world.
I would also like to ask everyone here today for continued support for and interest in the GSIS. Once again, I would like to extend my congratulations to the GSIS on all of the outstanding achievements that it has made in a rather short period. I really look forward to seeing another excellent performance of the GSIS in the next decade. Thank you very much.