1:59 p.m., Oct. 23, 2009----The University of Delaware recently achieved two important milestones as it continues to expand its global reach and impact. A UD delegation recently visited South Korea to sign a planning agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) and to celebrate its first international alumni event.

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A significant delegation from UD participated in these two important events, including President Patrick Harker; Tom Apple, provost; Havidán Rodríguez, deputy provost; Michael Chajes, dean of the College of Engineering; Bobby Gempesaw, dean of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics; George Watson, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Monica Taylor, vice president for development and alumni relations; Scott Stevens, director of the English Language Institute; Saul Hoffman, chair of the Department of Economics; Robert Nelson, chair of the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management; Cindy Campanella, director of Alumni Relations; Matthew Robinson, associate professor of health, nutrition, and exercise sciences; and Stephen Mangat, communications coordinator in the Office of Alumni Relations.

Planning agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA)

As a culmination of about one year of conversations and negotiations, UD signed a planning agreement with IFEZA to explore the possibility of establishing a UD campus in Songdo, South Korea. The proposed planning process obligates both IFEZ and UD only to a planning effort during the support period in which UD will explore the possibility and feasibility of operating accredited, degree-granting academic programs in South Korea.

IFEZA will bring together cutting-edge technology companies, knowledge-based industrial parks, institutions of higher education and world-class living and leisure amenities in a vibrant environment. This is a critical project for the continued social and economic development of South Korea, which is being presented as a “new growth engine” for South Korea and Northeast Asia.

IFEZA will establish a global university campus that will provide a unique and innovative academic environment for students from around the world. The proposed campus has been described by IFEZA officials as “the epicenter of academic and cultural exchange between East and West.” This initiative is part of a broader nationwide process to expand, enhance and strengthen the educational system in South Korea. In addition to UD, IFEZA is exploring partnerships with North Carolina State University (NCSU), Stony Brook University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, University of Missouri and George Mason University. NCSU and Stony Brook University have already signed planning agreements with IFEZA.

During the planning period, UD will commission a market analysis and a feasibility study to examine academic programs of interest to students in the region; their interest in obtaining a degree from a U.S. university in South Korea; and tuition levels students expect to pay, among other factors. Apple indicated that the agreement with IFEZA presents the University of Delaware with interesting and significant opportunities to become trailblazers in these types of academic and research initiatives at a global level. “The University of Delaware has long benefited from a close relationship with South Korea, and we are very pleased that we were able to sign an agreement with IFEZA. Our partnership with IFEZA will lead to innovative and path-breaking academic and research collaborations, which will also contribute to South Korea's economic and social development,” Apple said.

Alumni reception in Seoul, South Korea

UD celebrated its first official international alumni event (UD Korea Gala) in South Korea on Friday, Oct. 16, in the Grand Hilton Seoul. In addition to the UD delegation, a number of important dignitaries participated in the alumni event, including the plenary speaker, Byong Man Ahn, minister of education, science and technology and, as described by Rodríguez in his welcoming remarks, “a great friend of the University of Delaware.” Other dignitaries participating in this important event included Yeon Chang, president of the UD- Korea Alumni Association; Heeyhon Song, CEO of Asia Development Institute; John Fogarasi, minister-counselor for commercial affairs at the U.S. Embassy; and David Máthé, deputy director of international trade for the state of Delaware.

More than 110 alumni, friends of UD and University faculty and staff participated in this historical gathering. Chang provided the initial welcome remarks, both in Korean and English. He highlighted the role of the UD-Korea Alumni Association and its ties to the participants' alma mater. Rodríguez also provided welcome remarks and introduced the UD delegation and other U.S. officials, as well as some of the South Korean dignitaries. He reiterated to the participants that the first UD international alumni event was being celebrated in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the University's commitment to strengthen and expand partnerships and collaborative efforts in this country.

Harker spoke to the group and discussed UD's Path to ProminenceTM, as well as building and sustaining global partnerships and collaborations. During his presentation, Harker focused on the academic and research innovations at UD, including ongoing initiatives on the environment, energy and the health sciences. He also provided a brief overview of the goals, roles and contributions of UD's English Language Institute, the Center for International Studies and the Disaster Research Center. In his comments, Harker highlighted the signing ceremony at IFEZA and the important academic and research opportunities that this partnership presents for both the University and South Korea. He indicated that “the IFEZA project provides UD a wonderful opportunity to fulfill some key Path to Prominence^TM goals -- to extend the University's geographic reach and develop strategic global partnerships. A campus in Songdo would significantly raise UD's international profile and allow us to offer an exceptional UD education to a truly global group of students from throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.”

Ahn was the keynote speaker for the evening, and he highlighted the important role that the University of Delaware has played in his academic and leadership positions in South Korea. He described Newark, Del., as his “second home.” He also focused on the role and importance of global partnerships. Ahn was a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence and a distinguished visiting scholar at UD; in 2004 he received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University.

This first-ever international alumni event concluded with closing remarks by Gempesaw, who reminded the participants of the important relationships between the U.S. and South Korea and the importance of strengthening and sustaining these partnerships. The UD-Korea gala event concluded with Harker and Gempesaw presenting gifts to Ahn, Chang and Song, in recognition of all the work they have done on behalf of the University of Delaware. The event ended in a festive mood with the presentation of additional UD gifts to a number of alumni and friends as part of a raffle. Chang presented to Harker with a generous donation for the University of Delaware on behalf of the UD- Korea Alumni Association.

Visit to LG Display in South Korea

A group of faculty and administrators also visited the LG Display facilities in South Korea. LG Display is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, which are used for televisions, monitors and personal computers and laptops. The UD delegation received a tour of the extensive facilities, focusing on the manufacturing, development and distribution process of display panels. Despite the turndown in the economy on a global scale, LG's third-quarter net profit, ending Sept. 30, 2009, was estimated at about $484 million, an increase estimated at around 90 percent. LG Display is also planning to build a panel manufacturing plant in the southern region of China, with an estimated value of over $3 billion.

Article by Havidán Rodríguez