Korea-Japan Millennium Forum

-The Role of Universities for the Next 50 Years of Japan-Korea Relations

On October 28, Yonsei hosted the fourteenth Korea-Japan Millennium Forum with Keio University, Waseda University, and Korea University. Held in Baekyang-ro International Conference Hall, the forum’s theme was “Shared Values, Shared Education: The Role of Universities in the next 50 Years of Japan-Korea Relations.” Focusing on current trends in global higher education, the participants discussed ways for their universities to increase competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.

In the Presidents Session, the first of the day, the university leaders addressed the theme of “Trends in Higher Education, Opportunities and Crisis.” Here, Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young was joined by his counterparts, Keio President Seike Atushi, Waseda President Kamata Kaoru, and Korea President Yeom Jea-ho. In the next session, students from each university spoke, offering their ideas for improving student exchange programs. The university presidents, who were in the audience, responded to many of these suggestions.

The third session brought together a number of scholars to debate issues related to public policy and the higher education of Korean and Japan. The four speakers were Jiro Gokyuro, from the Keio Office of International Affairs, Kim Seon-hyuk from Korea’s Office of International affairs, Waseda Professor Maji Christine Rhee, and Yonsei Professor Lee Byung-sik. The forum’s final session considered trends of regionalism in China and other Asian nations; speaking were Professor Kamo TomoKi of Keio, Professor Son Ki-young from Korea University, Waseda Professor Ueki Chikako, and Yonsei Professor Son Yul.

The Korea-Japan Millennium Forum is designed to improve the cooperative relations of the four universities, vitalize academic and research exchanges, and forge a future vision for Korea and Japan.