From November 27^th to December 1^st, Prof. SUN Jinghong, Vice Chancellor of USTB, and Mr. DAI Jinggang, Associate Director of University Council, led the delegation to the Republic of Korea to enhance the construction of USTB's Double First-class initiative, continuously advance the internationalization development strategy and talent-focused strategy, and expand overseas influence and visibility of USTB. The delegation visited cooperating institutions and enterprises in South Korea, including Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang Iron and Steel Company (POSCO), and the University of Ulsan (UOU), and had a cordial discussion with Mr. AI Hongge, Education Counselor at the Embassy of China in South Korea.

Meeting at the Hunkuk University of Foreign Studies

On November 28^th, the delegation was invited to visit Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea. A meeting was held with Prof. Jang Taeyeop, Vice President of HUFS, Prof. Na Mingoo, the Korean Director of the Confucius Institute at HUFS, and Prof. JIANG Ying, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at HUFS. Prof. SUN Jinghong introduced the strengths, discipline characteristics, university-enterprise cooperation, and international collaboration of USTB to the attendees. He expressed that both universities could take this opportunity to explore various cooperation models further, such as student exchanges and joint cultivation programs, aiming to complement each other's strengths and jointly cultivate high-quality talents with an international horizon.

On the afternoon of the 28^th, the delegation paid a visit to Education Counselor Mr. AI Hongge at the Chinese Embassy in South Korea. They presented an overview of the cooperation between USTB and several South Korean universities and businesses, highlighting the latest developments. During the exchange, Prof. SUN Jinghong expressed the hope that with the support of the embassy in the future, USTB could continue to expand high-quality education resources in South Korea, broaden the collaboration between USTB and South Korean academic and corporate partners in the field of science and education, and promote new developments in the internationalization of higher education.

Meeting at the Pohang University of Science and Technology

On November 29^th, the delegation visited Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). They held discussions with Prof. Hee-Kap AHN and Prof. Kangbok LEE, Vice Presidents of POSTECH. Additionally, they visited the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center of POSTECH. Mr. DAI Jinggang expressed that since the establishment of the cooperative relationship in 2004, both universities have achieved fruitful results in various aspects of exchange and collaboration. To further advance the training of excellent engineers, USTB established the School of Elite Engineering in 2022, actively promoting the cultivation of outstanding engineering talents in the fields of technology and manufacturing, with the steel industry as a representative. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of collaboration between the two universities. On behalf of USTB, Mr. DAI Jinggang extended a sincere invitation to the two vice presidents and the faculty and students of POSTECH, welcoming them to visit USTB further to solidify the foundation of collaboration between the two universities, expand the scope of cooperation, enrich the content of collaboration, and continually create a new chapter in Chinese-Korean educational cooperation. After the meeting, the delegation visited USTB's exchange student representatives in Korea, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the study and life of exchange students abroad.

Meeting at the POSCO company

On November 30^th, the delegation visited POSCO and had discussions with research personnel, including Mr. Shin Muyoung-gyun, Director of the Low Carbon Ironmaking Research Institute at POSCO's Technology Research Institute. Prof. SUN Jinghong expressed that USTB established a cooperative relationship with POSCO in 2020, and the collaboration represents a strong alliance between a world-renowned industry leader in the iron and steel industry and a world-renowned university in science and technology. Since the establishment of the collaboration, a stable exchange model has been established. The two sides have closely cooperated in key areas such as efficient utilization of resources, intelligent metallurgical manufacturing, and green environmental protection technologies, etc. USTB and POSCO have also organized multiple bilateral technical exchange meetings, conducted reciprocal visits for research and learning, and collaborated significantly to contribute to innovation in the iron and steel industry of both countries.

Meeting at the University of Ulsan

On December 1^st, the delegation was invited to visit the University of Ulsan (UOU) and had a discussion with Prof. LEE Jae-Shin, Vice President of UOU. Mr. DAI Jinggang pointed out that majors such as Mechanical Engineering, Vehicle Engineering, and Industrial Design at the University of Ulsan have been selected for South Korea's "BK21 Program," which focuses on the construction of professional disciplines in higher education. Meanwhile, related majors at USTB are advancing towards the establishment of internationally renowned high-level research-oriented programs. Mr. DAI Jinggang expressed that USTB, taking the lead in forming the "China Metallurgical Industry Excellence Engineer Training Alliance," will vigorously promote cooperation with enterprises, integrate industry and education, and focus on enhancing students' technical innovation and problem-solving abilities. In this process, USTB hoped to strengthen communication and collaboration with the University of Ulsan continuously.

This visit is a crucial step towards further building USTB's global cooperation network and deepening international exchanges. Guided by the spirit of the two important reply letters from President XI Jinping, USTB will continue to expand its high-level international openness. It aims to strengthen emotional connections with overseas partners and enhance the international reputation and influence of USTB.

Draft: YANG Lindi 

Revision: CHENG Mingyuan