Inaugural Address

Professor Yoon Dong-Sup

The 20th President of Yonsei University

Greetings, esteemed members of the Yonsei community. I, Yoon Dong-Sup, stand before you to begin my term as the twentieth President of Yonsei University.

Today, many distinguished guests have graced this honorable occasion. First of all, I am grateful to have the presence of H.E. Mr. Kim Jin Pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, 8^th Secretary-General of the United Nations, in attendance. I extend my deepest gratitude to Honorable Chairman Hur Dong-Soo and Members of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Lee Kyoung Ryul, President of the Yonsei Alumni Association, former Presidents of Yonsei University, and all distinguished guests who have taken the time to be here. I also appreciate the presence of our esteemed Yonsei professors and staff, and above all, our students, the hope of Yonsei University, at this meaningful occasion. Thank you to all who have joined us here today.

Standing here today, I recall the pioneering footsteps of all those who have made Yonsei University’s 139-year history so distinguished; how Yonhi and Severance became one, to be the driving force in the advancement of higher education in South Korea, how this path was made possible by the dedication and service of so many others. In the face of Yonsei University’s proud history, I dare to take up the solemn responsibility of advancing the university and contributing to society.

Beloved Yonsei family!

We are now at a major crossroads in human history. Last December, Nature’s ten most influential scientists of 2023 included ChatGPT. Generative AI models have already infiltrated our daily lives; their influence reverberates in our educational institutions. They confront us with the fundamental question on the nature of human intelligence. Indiscriminate exploitation of nature has posed unprecedented challenges to humanity, such as climate change and pandemics. Efforts to address climate change have brought a rapid shift towards renewable energy, changing the entire industrial ecosystem. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant online classes, working remotely from home, accelerating the digital transition of our day-to-day activities.

Leading universities worldwide have already initiated innovations to navigate the strong waves of transformation. They include providing personalized adaptive learning programs using AI, establishing startup infrastructure through collaboration with local communities and industries, and implementing project-based courses. Even universities without traditional campuses stand at the forefront of innovative education, sending a strong message to the global educational community.

And what challenges does this era of major transformation pose for Yonsei University?  We can find the answer in who we are, of being Yonsei, the quality that enables us to cut across both disciplinarity and convergence. By God’s providence Yonhi and Severance became one; “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) became the guiding principle of Yonsei. Yonsei’s integrated education, aspiring for truth and freedom, encompasses the knowledge of heaven and earth, of humanity. It signifies an education that spans across various disciplines and aligns with today’s pursuit of interdisciplinary convergent research and practical education. This is the essence of being Yonsei as embodied in our Yonsei Charter.

Esteemed Yonsei family!

Today, as we meet the new challenges of our era, I reflect on how Jesus empowered His disciples, enabling them to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. I have adopted the slogan ‘Empowering Yonsei’ to amplify the strength of being Yonsei, for practicing Yonsei’s educational philosophy and opening a new era for the future. ‘Empowering Yonsei’ embodies these core values: to serve and to share, to empower and to trust, to innovate and to pioneer.

Our university, grounded in its founding principles of Christian faith and guided by the spirit of stewardship, has always served the local as well as the global community. The world’s top universities are also boldly breaking free from the constraints of the ivory tower, recognizing the university’s role to actively contribute to solving the challenges facing society and humankind. “To cultivate character through Christian spirit, to integrate harmoniously Eastern and Western, old and new in education, in order to grow leaders who can navigate scholarship and praxis to contribute to the nation and global society.” This has been the guiding principle of Yonsei University since the days of Chosen Christian College, urging the practice of stewardship by contributing to society through a fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.

To cultivate individuals who think autonomously and address global challenges within the rapidly changing society, I intend to progressively implement a ‘Student-Designed Semester,’ where students autonomously structure the curriculum based on what they want to learn. I will spare no effort in supporting personalized education using artificial intelligence or future-adaptive majors.

Furthermore, for Yonsei to progress as a university that is even better engaged with society, the world and the future, research capabilities must be prioritized. I will establish a practical support system tailored to the humanities and social sciences as well as the natural sciences and engineering, enhancing the global competitiveness of interdisciplinary research. In doing so, I aim to create a model for the future university where the knowledge and assets held by the university are dedicated to driving the progress of our society, and these social values in turn flow back into the university, thereby creating a virtuous cycle.

To this end, I will lead a governance innovation where all members of the Yonsei community – faculty, staff, and students – hold both responsibility and autonomous authority, empowering themselves as agents of change. Thus, I will create an environment where diverse values are embraced, and members can actively respond to and make decisions about change through the delegation of authority and responsibility.

Restoring pride in the Yonsei community through the autonomous operation of each unit is indeed the first step in embodying the spirit of Yonsei. All our members studying and researching to their hearts content in a happy school, achieving personal growth, will be the shortcut towards a leap into a new era for Yonsei, opening doors to the future.

Beloved Yonseians!

Our focus in the era of living to 100 has now shifted beyond extending lifespan to aging well. Yonsei University has the expertise and infrastructure tailored for optimal research in the field of bio-health. We have already integrated the capabilities for interdisciplinary research that spans issues such as the meaning of life and society in an aging world, the hyper-connectivity and convergence challenges of artificial intelligence and big data, as well as the pursuit of disease treatment and healthy living.

Building on this, I will facilitate the transformation of Yonsei Science Park (YSP) currently under development on the international campus, into a global hub for advanced bio-industry. Collaborating with Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, I will develop a global bio R&D convergence complex in Songdo, where Yonsei University's international campus is located. This initiative aims to establish an innovative ecosystem between research and industry, fostering a cycle of mutual collaboration. Positioned at the heart of the cutting-edge Bio-Health Valley in western Greater Seoul, our university will strengthen its global competitiveness and financial sustainability.

The aging society has also meant a decrease in the student-age population, a major shift in demographics that is already impacting many universities. We are no exception. Mirae Campus is the first of our campuses to face this difficulty. The difficulties of the Mirae Campus require a collective effort from all Yonseians. I view this challenge as an opportunity to leap forward. Every option will be pursued, in conversation with all stakeholders. Perhaps we need specialized curricula. Perhaps we need to broaden the age of students. Perhaps we need to reimagine the role of the physical campus in an age of online learning. Perhaps we need to do all of these and more. The future is already here. And what better place to meet it than at Mirae campus? As we have always done, working together, Yonsei will unite our strength and effort to ensure that all our campuses remain central, no matter what the future brings.

Beloved Yonsei family!

I am always proud to live as a member of Yonsei University, established by God. With this overwhelming sense of pride and esteem, I will open the future together with all Yonseians. As we dream of an enduring future, Yonsei’s legacy of pursuing truth and freedom, marked by respect and esteem, will lead to a new ‘Yonsei Era,’ opening the windows to today and the future. I will not forget the words I shared and heard from numerous individuals until the day of my retirement. I pledge to advance confidently into the future, staying true to being Yonsei, a founding spirit that has been with us since our Yonsei’s establishment.

As I conclude my inaugural address, I pray for the grace of God to be with all those present here and the future of our Yonsei. I will close by sharing the words of Proverbs 16:9 that have protected and guided me to this day.

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

I pray the Lord will continue to direct Yonsei’s steps.

Thank you!

February 1, 2024

Professor Dong-Sup Yoon

President of Yonsei University