Dear respected Yonseians, We have moved into a new year, and I wish God’s blessings to you all. Four years have already passed since I have taken up the position of Yonsei University President. In one month’s time, my duties as president will end and the baton will be handed over to the successor. The President of Yonsei is analogous to a relay runner who endlessly runs toward an invisible destination. During the past four years as president, I have run towards ‘The First and the Best’; but I do not believe we have reached the final destination. Rather, we only have a direction and a vision; to us there is no ending destination. Yonsei’s future will shine brighter when subsequent presidents proceed toward this direction and vision. During the recent years, Yonsei has achieved notable accomplishments; and these outcomes have come only thanks to the faculty, staff, students, alumni of Yonsei. Yonsei has demonstrated significant improvements in international and domestic university evaluations. In the QS World University Rankings, Yonsei jumped from 236th place in 2007 to 129th in 2011, making it closer to the 100th ranking. In the 2011 QS Asian University Rankings, Yonsei not only ranked as 18th place but was also the only private comprehensive university in Korea to come in the 20th rankings. Over the past few years, Seoul Campus has undergone considerable changes. As I said last year at a ceremony for the Korea True Education Grand Prize by the Journalist Federation of Korea: “Students at Yonsei learn to help and share with others”, Yonsei fosters leaders who serve their neighbors. Seoul Campus has settled the one-dean system, phased in the team-based system, reduced its headquarters administration and accomplished financial stability with reserved funds that have doubled during the past four years. Having been devoted to the opening of the International Campus, I have heard people say “The President is only interested in Songdo”. For the International Campus, 186,000 ‘pyeong’ have been registered as university grounds, and the Incheon Council has approved the project financing of 6,500 billion KRW for construction and equipment costs. The International Campus has also attained the IT Program and the College of Pharmacy. In 2010 the Campus was partially open, offering 159 courses for 465 undergraduates in the spring semester and 139 courses in the fall semester. After the second phase of construction finishes, the Campus will be ready to go in February 2013. I once again express my thankfulness to the faculty and staff for the effective and successful progress at International Campus. Despite all the accomplishment, I believe that new buildings and higher rankings do not signify or represent true progress of a university. Yonsei should serve to be Korea’s representative forefront of knowledge and bastion of intelligence, and take upon the responsibility of the society’s moral standards and exemplar of service. There was a momentous occasion last September—the school banner of Yonhi College, which was lost during the Korean War, was returned to Yonsei. It was Yonsei’s second school banner that was made in 1941 during the Japanese Colonial Rule. Receiving the bluish-grey banner which had apparently faded from the weight of the years, I recalled Yonsei University’s historical vocation. No matter how much the world changes, Yonsei shall continue its pursuit of truth, freedom and service. New buildings can be built or bought with money and higher rankings can be obtained through different systems of assessment criteria; however, Yonsei’s founding philosophy and educational spirit can be attained neither by money nor by any system. As Yonsei University’s historical vocation is firmly observing Yonsei’s spirit and identity, its social vocation is serving as a leader in such a turbulent society and as the center of gravity in this floating world. One of the major duties of a university is to provide human resources that can be useful to the society and economy; however, Yonsei must pursue a higher responsibility. I have endeavored not to be agitated with finite political authority and momentary trends. In the world’s political topography, radical changes are anticipated, including the leadership of Korea and the United States, and the political environment in North Korea. Economically, the conflict between the expansion of global capitalism and the demands for welfare democracy is expected to expand. In such global circumstances, Yonseians must be the center of gravity; we must take on our historical and social mission. The 126 years of Yonsei is a proud history of overcoming hardships and realizing the founding spirit of pioneers. While unforeseen challenges this year await us, Yonsei’s today will remain intact and its tomorrow will brighten when Yonseians come together in one accord. January 2, 2012 Yonsei University President, Kim Han-joong