InterviewHanyang University leads in int'l enrollment, backed by decades of global outreach

Lee Ki-jeong, president of Hanyang University, speaks during an interview at the university’s main building in Seongdong District, Seoul, July 22. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Hanyang University, which hosts the largest international student population in Korea, is expanding its global outreach beyond academics to help students settle and thrive after graduation.

"Our goal is not simply to increase the number of international students," said Lee Ki-jeong, president of Hanyang University, during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "The university’s internationalization strategy is about building a foundation to expand the university’s ecosystem to a truly global level."

Building on years of experience in welcoming students from abroad, Hanyang University enrolled 8,264 international students from 71 countries as of 2024 — the largest such population at any university in Korea.

Since welcoming its first international student in 1987, the university has launched a full-scale expansion of its global network, declaring 2003 its inaugural year of internationalization.

As the university shifts its strategy to emphasize student experience and long-term support, it launched the HY All-Care system last year — a comprehensive platform designed to assist international students at every stage of their journey.

The system offers integrated services ranging from academic advising and language education to settlement support, career counseling and alumni networking. The university aims to help students not only succeed academically but also grow into globally competitive professionals recognized both in Korean society and on the global stage.

Hanyang University has significantly scaled up its support system for international students, with a dedicated international affairs office staffed by 25 personnel — nearly three times the average of most Korean universities.

"International students face a wide range of challenges during their time at university, from academic status and visa issues to residency concerns," Lee said. "Providing proper support requires a specialized team and professional support system. That’s exactly what we have built."

International students attend the Hanyang University Job Fair, held from Sept. 2 to 5, 2024. Courtesy of Hanyang University

To help international students navigate career paths and establish long-term roots in Korea, the university now offers a variety of hands-on programs, including one-on-one career consulting, internships and a job fair tailored specifically for international talent.

"Until now, international students were limited to separate booths within campus-wide job fairs, mainly for domestic students," Lee said. "But for the first time, we are launching a job fair exclusively for international students, scheduled for Aug. 28."

As of last year, 475 students — accounting for 14.31 percent of the university’s total international student body — have participated in career and employment support programs, reflecting strong demand and satisfaction.

A standout among these programs is the career development support (CDS) initiative, which provides hands-on experience through domestic and international opportunities. In July last year, 10 Chinese students completed a monthlong project-based internship at Hankook Tire and Hyundai L&C in Shanghai through the CDS program. This year, additional placements have been secured with major companies such as Amorepacific, Ctrip and SM Entertainment.

"We are committed to supporting international students not merely as short-term visitors, but as individuals who can stay and build their futures in Korea and grow into talent that contributes to the country’s global competitiveness," Lee said.

International students pose for a photo during the entrance ceremony for Hanyang International Summer School, June 30. Courtesy of Hanyang University

Hanyang University is also strengthening ties with its international alumni through expanded global networks.

The university currently operates overseas centers in China and Malaysia to stay connected with international alumni who have returned to their home countries, helping maintain long-term ties beyond graduation.

"We are the first Korean university to open an overseas center in Shanghai, establishing the Hanyang China Center about 20 years ago," he said.

The center in Shanghai supports local internships and job placements for Chinese students while also serving as a hub for alumni engagement. Building on this, the university established alumni networks in eastern China and northern China in 2023 and 2024, respectively, to further expand its regional outreach.

"Alumni networking in China has grown rapidly since the gatherings in 2023 and 2024," Lee said. "Regional and industry-specific meetups are thriving, and these connections are now driving international promotion, student recruitment and deeper collaboration with Chinese universities."

In December, Hanyang University plans to host its next overseas alumni gathering in Malaysia.

"Our global reputation benefits not only when international students find jobs and settle in Korea but also when our graduates go abroad and actively contribute in their fields. They can become ambassadors of our university worldwide," he added.

Participants and winners of Hanyang University’s question-based exposition “ASKTHON” pose with faculty members following the award ceremony at the university’s Seoul campus, Nov. 19, 2024. Courtesy of Hanyang University

Amid the rise of cutting-edge technologies — particularly artificial intelligence (AI) — Lee emphasized the need for a new educational paradigm he calls the "dual brain" model.

"In this era, we should view AI not as a competitor, but as a partner," he said. "Education must shift toward teaching students how to work with AI effectively. More importantly, we need to create an environment where they can develop the ability to ask meaningful, insightful questions."

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly widespread, Hanyang University launched an exposition called "ASKTHON," aimed at redefining how students engage with knowledge. The event’s focus is not on finding fixed answers, but on identifying individuals who can ask bold, essential questions that can drive change in society and humanity.

"This program goes beyond a typical competition. It’s the university’s experiment and commitment to making the ability to ask meaningful questions a new standard in higher education," Lee said.

In many Korean university classrooms, professors’ invitations for questions are often seen as a formality. Lee seeks to shift that mindset by making question-based learning a central part of academic culture.

"The shrinking school-age population and growing global competition are structural challenges that demand a fundamental rethinking of how Korean universities operate," Lee said. "Survival now hinges on moving beyond traditional models and creating a new ecosystem through bold, cross-sector innovation in education, research and industry."

Graphic by Bae So-young, Cho Sang-won