InterviewTo win global education race, Korea needs strategy, not speed: expert

Jeroen Prinsen, executive director of QS Asia Pacific, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in central Seoul, Sept. 19. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Korean universities are sprinting to raise their global standing, but ambition alone may not be enough to cross the finish line, particularly as the pace of international competition accelerates, according to the head of QS Asia Pacific.

“It’s a race, and the world isn’t slowing down,” said Jeroen Prinsen, executive director of APAC at QS, a global authority known for its influential university rankings, in an interview with The Korea Times.

As higher education worldwide faces fierce competition, tightening budgets and shifting student demographics, Prinsen says Korea has the drive and potential to stand out, yet warns that execution, consistency and long-term strategy will determine whether it truly becomes a global hub for learning.

“Korea has ambition. The real test is turning ambition into measurable progress,” he said.

Prinsen highlighted the need to pursue a dual approach, setting bold, competitive goals to accelerate progress while taking a long-term, strategic view when it comes to building international networks.

“Global influence isn’t built overnight,” he noted. “Diversifying and sustaining partnerships matters more than chasing quick wins.”

Korean universities often focus their global engagement on a narrow group of partner countries, primarily the United States. To expand their influence, he emphasized that network diversification — not exclusivity — is the key.

“Many universities assume partnering with higher-ranked institutions will automatically boost their global impact,” he said. “But real impact comes from how well those collaborations are sustained and developed over time.”

He advised universities to study how other institutions have successfully built and sustained international research partnerships, using those cases as benchmarks for their own strategies.

“Building a strong research network requires diversification and continuity, not one-off projects,” Prinsen said.

International students take part in job interviews during the 2025 Busan Job Fair for International Students at Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Haeundae District, Busan, Aug. 19. Yonhap

Prinsen also emphasized that Korea should set bold, measurable goals — and keep raising the bar once they are achieved.

“The Study Korea 300K project is a good start,” he said, referring to the government’s plan to attract 300,000 international students by 2027. “But the real question is — is that ambitious enough? Other countries in the region are targeting even higher numbers.”

He emphasized that setting goals competitively drives ambition, but what is equally important is sustaining them through strong execution and consistent follow-up. As an example, he pointed to Malaysia’s higher education strategy, which aimed to have four universities ranked in the world’s top 200 — a target the country has already surpassed, with five such institutions.

Referring to the government’s initiative to develop 10 universities to the level of Seoul National University, considered the country’s most prestigious institution, Prinsen said such national growth strategies can directly enhance Korea’s global competitiveness by fostering more world-class universities.

He added that expanding student options beyond Seoul not only enhances national competitiveness but also allows each university to develop its own specialized focus areas and research strengths.

“Diversity in institutional focus makes the entire system stronger,” he said. “The added choice benefits both students and the nation as a whole.”

Furthermore, Prinsen underscored the need to close the gap between universities and the job market. He stressed that stronger partnerships with industries are now essential for Korea to stay competitive both domestically and globally.

“Universities should work hand in hand with companies to produce job-ready graduates,” he said. “That means embedding internships, practical training and real-world projects into academic programs.”

Prinsen noted that communication between employers and universities often remains limited, leaving each side unaware of the other’s needs.

“For students, (improving communication) ensures that their education leads to real employment opportunities,” he said.

He added that expanding post-graduation work visas and creating clearer career pathways for international students would further enhance Korea’s attractiveness as a global study destination.

Foreign test-takers focus on their papers during the 25th Test of Proficiency in Korean held at Kyung Hee University in Dongdaemun District, Seoul, Sept. 29. Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han

As Korean universities ramp up efforts to attract more international students, language has also emerged as one of their biggest challenges.

Interviews with more than 15 university presidents by The Korea Times revealed a clear divide. Roughly half of the institutions prioritize creating English-friendly campuses by expanding English-taught programs and communication, while the other half focus on strengthening Korean language education.

Most universities agreed that teaching Korean is essential for helping international students settle and build long-term careers in the country. Yet, many also view English as the indispensable language of globalization, making its incorporation and usage a practical necessity for universities seeking to raise their international visibility.

However, Prinsen pointed out, not all globally top-ranked universities rely heavily on English-language instruction.

“We do have top-tier universities that aren’t from English-speaking countries,” he said. “Chinese universities, for example, rank very highly even though most of their programs are not taught in English.”

Instead, he advised that understanding what international students actually want could help Korean universities refine their strategies.

“It could be valuable to survey international students already studying in Korea,” Prinsen suggested. “Asking them what they’d like to see more in their academic experience can provide key insights for shaping future policies.”