Construction Begins for Yonsei Songdo Campus Construction of the Yonsei Songdo Campus (Songdo Global Academic Complex) began on November 26 in Songdo, Incheon. The Songdo campus is expected to partially open in March 2010, with the campus opening fully in December 2012. When the campus is completed, it will hold 3,000 domestic students, 1,000 international students, 500 faculty members, and 500 researchers, for a total capacity of 5,000. For the groundbreaking ceremony, 200 guests convened, including the Chief Director of Yonsei Board Bang Woo-Young, Yonsei University President Kim Han-Joong, Mayor of Incheon An Sang-Soo, and many other honored guests. “Yonsei University has carried on the dreams and faith of our founder,” remarked President Kim Han-Joong in his speech for the event. “As Korea’s first university, we are leading the changing times to become the nation’s top university. With our tradition and pride, the Songdo Complex will make us an internationally acclaimed university. We will bring our spirit to Songdo and explore new frontiers.” Yonsei and Incheon: A Synergy Effect “Incheon is the place where Dr. Underwood, the founder of Yonsei, first arrived in Korea 120 years ago,” Director Bang Woo-Young of the Yonsei Board added. “Building a new campus here is a memorable event. I look forward to the synergy effect between Incheon and Yonsei.” “Through this new campus,” Mayor An Sang-Soo Incheon responded, “Yonsei is bound to become one of the top 50 universities in the world, and the very best in some areas. I believe that Yonsei will build fruitful ties with many top international universities and research institutions here at Songdo.” Top International University Campuses and Research Institutions to Move In Yonsei plans to create a specialized campus by inviting top research programs and institutions from the world. Many renowned universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, will set up joint campuses to conduct research and education activities in collaboration with Yonsei. Research institutions such as M. D. Anderson will carry out research projects with Yonsei, making the Songdo campus a veritable R&D campus, fully equipped with cultural complex, language center, athletic complex, baseball field, and soccer field.