Provost Robel to travel to South Korea

IU Provost Lauren Robel and other IU faculty are traveling Nov. 30 to Seoul, South Korea, to connect with alumni and strengthen existing joint business, economics and law programs between IU and Korean universities.

During her visit, Robel will renew agreements between Sung Kyun Kwan University,  Seoul National University and IU to continue joint study programs.

The Korean Global School of Business will continue to collaborate with the Kelley School of Business on student and faculty exchanges and short term courses.

The Department of Economics will continue to work with the Global Economics Program, and the Maurer School of Law will continue to work with the Global School of Business on a joint Masters in Business and JDA program. 

These relationships date back more than 10 years, Associate Vice President for International Partnerships Shawn Reynolds said.

“Our goals are cultivation of alumni, furthering our existing partnerships and looking for new opportunities for partnership,” Reynolds said. “Any major university you look at in South Korea, you’ll find an IU Ph.D.”

The Provost will visit the Seoul Arts Center and Korean National University of the Arts Tuesday.

“This is an area rich in both culture and innovation, and deeply committed to education,” Robel said.

IU has yet to work with these arts institutions. The Jacobs School of Music may collaborate with the SAC and K’ARTS, Senior Director of International Alumni Relations Eric De Haan said.

“The largest group of international alums that Jacobs has are in Korea,” De Haan said. “There’s a rich tradition of fine classical music and performing arts.”

The trip will strengthen IU’s long-standing relationship with South Korean students, IU Provost Communications Specialist Elisabeth Andrews said.

On Wednesday, Robel will meet with Seoul National University to renew an agreement on behalf of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Andrews said. 

This meeting will serve the SPEA and SNU dual Masters of Public Administration degree program, Reynolds said.

Robel’s immediate group includes Andrews, De Haan and Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives M.A. Venkataramanan.

South Korea, India and China have the largest international alumni chapters.

Robel said IU’s South Korean alumni are some of the university’s most active supporters, and serve in public and private leadership roles in South Korea.

“The bridges we have built in business, law, and public affairs, and other academic areas are unquestionably beneficial for our domestic and international students as they prepare for success in a 21st-century global setting,” Robel said.

Follow reporter Hannah Alani on Twitter @hannahalani.