InterviewKorea University poised to leap forward as leading global research institution

Korea University President Kim Dong-one speaks at the main building of the university's campus in Seongbuk District, Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Amid rapid social transformation driven by technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), Korea University emphasized that their hosting of the upcoming QS Higher Ed Summit will underscore Seoul’s emergence as a new hub of global higher education.

“This summit will showcase that Korea’s educational and cultural competitiveness has reached a truly global level,” said Korea University President Kim Dong-one in a written interview with The Korea Times. “It will also serve as a stage to declare Korea University’s leadership in shaping a new paradigm of higher education from the heart of Asia.”

Seoul was ranked No. 1 in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking, cementing its status as a leading destination for students around the globe.

For Korea University, hosting the summit is an opportunity to showcase its newly developed educational environment and international infrastructure created to mark its 120th anniversary.

Under the theme of “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” the summit brings together global education leaders to discuss how rapid technological change and demographic shifts are redefining higher education — and how universities can build sustainable ecosystems for the generations ahead.

“This event goes beyond simply hosting an international conference — it will strengthen global educational leadership, expand opportunities for research and industry collaboration, and highlight the educational and research excellence of Korean universities to both domestic and international participants,” Kim said.

“We also expect the summit to have a positive impact on driving innovation within Korea’s own higher education system,” he added.

International students at Korea University / Courtesy of Korea University

Korea University has set its sights on becoming a leading global research university.

“We are striving to rank among the world’s top 20 in research competitiveness by strategically identifying and nurturing key fields that meet global demand,” Kim said.

At the core of this vision is KU Innovation Valley, an ecosystem that integrates biotechnology, AI and big data to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and research institutions. The university also plans to expand on-campus corporate research labs to create an innovation platform where research and entrepreneurship are seamlessly connected, establishing a global hub for startup and research excellence.

As the university places strong emphasis on its responsibility to contribute to society and humanity, it has been actively addressing complex global challenges — from climate change and AI to the aging population — through research and practical initiatives.

One example is K-Club, the university’s global research network that brings together around 150 scholars from 63 countries. At its inaugural conference in July, researchers explored solutions to the climate crisis while sharing Korea’s advanced technologies and policies on resource regeneration and startup development in related fields.

The university also leads the Climate Corps, a consortium of 35 universities across six continents that focuses on sustainability and environmental innovation.

“We aim to develop these international networks beyond mere academic exchange into practical platforms for joint research and collaborative solutions to global challenges,” Kim said.

The university is pursuing a global reputation strategy built on two pillars — strengthening international research collaboration and expanding global networks.

“Recently, Korea University has achieved remarkable progress in major global university rankings,” Kim said.

It topped The Korea Times’ K-Universities Global Excellence Rankings for 2026, rose from 67th to 61st in the QS World University Rankings and climbed from 189th to 156th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

“Global partnerships serve as the foundation for joint research, and such achievements, in turn, create a virtuous cycle that attracts more international talent,” he said.

As the summit sets the stage for discussions on the future of education, with an emphasis on the role of universities in driving inclusive growth and academic excellence, Korea University noted that its globalization strategy has evolved beyond simple exchange programs to building a sustainable ecosystem for long-term international research collaboration.

“Hosting this summit is not the end of a journey — it is the beginning of a new chapter in how Asia contributes to the world’s academic future,” Kim said.