Rutgers & South Korea

Rutgers University’s recent engagements across South Korea marked a significant step forward in strengthening academic, research, and industry partnerships in one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. In December, a delegation of faculty and executive staff traveled to South Korea to explore opportunities for future collaborations with academic, industry, and government entities. Through meetings with leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners, the Rutgers delegation deepened existing relationships and laid the groundwork for new collaborations spanning student mobility, faculty research, industry engagement, and translational innovation. 

Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) welcomed its first student from Seoul National University School of Dentistry (SNUSD), Jae Hyeok (Jerry) Lee, marking the beginning of a new international collaboration.

“This program allows for an academic and cultural exchange between our students and visiting students, simultaneously facilitating their professional and personal growth,” said Rosa Chaviano-Moran, associate dean for admissions. RSDM has several other exchange programs around the globe, stretching from Ireland to Spain to Albania to India. 

Rutgers Global, in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), hosted a 2-day academic program for 26 undergraduate students from South Korea majoring in biotechnology, health sciences, computer science, and engineering.  The program’s theme, “AI & Biotechnology in Healthcare,” highlighted how artificial intelligence is reshaping biomedical innovation and interdisciplinary research. Here are photos from the program.

For many students, a passport is more than a travel document; it’s a ticket to global study, research, and career opportunities. Recognizing this, Rutgers Global–Study Abroad launched the Passport to the World initiative in 2022, designed to increase the number of matriculated Rutgers students with U.S. passports across all campuses: Newark, Camden, Rutgers Health, and New Brunswick. 

One of those students is Le’Nahjaa Bailey (Rutgers-New Brunswick, Class of 2026), who received her first passport through the program and spent the summer studying at Ewha University in Seoul, South Korea. Bailey, also a Gilman Scholar, described the experience as transformative.

Rutgers University was proud to participate in the Climate Corps Summer School 2025 program hosted by Korea University (KU) this summer, bringing together students and scholars from around the world to address the global climate crisis through innovation, education, and partnership. Three students from Rutgers attended the program: Audree Gousse, Eva Brozovsky, and Alex Varela Reyes. In addition, two Rutgers faculty members attended, Ahmed Aziz Ezzat, Assistant Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering, and Victoria Ramenzoni, Associate Professor in Marine Policy and Social Sciences. 

As part of Rutgers University’s growing Korea–US engagement strategy in the biomedical and health sciences, Rutgers Global and Rutgers Health co-hosted a Symposium on Korea–US R&D Collaborations and Funding Opportunities on Thursday, June 19, at Richard Weeks Hall on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus. The symposium was the culmination of several collaborative events between Rutgers and K-BioX, a global bio-health innovation platform that connects Korean and international institutions to advance research partnerships.