Rutgers & South Korea

Rutgers University students and faculty joined peers from around the world this summer for an intensive week focused on climate innovation, sustainability and collaboration at the Korea University Climate Corps Summer School 2026. Held July 6–10 in Seoul, South Korea, the program brought together students and leading scholars from 49 universities representing 28 countries across six continents. Rutgers participated for the second consecutive year, giving students an opportunity to engage with international researchers, develop climate-focused projects and explore how different disciplines can work together to address the global climate crisis.

This summer, Rutgers Global and the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) launched a new short-term program for international students on the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus. The Rutgers Pharmacy Summer Program ran from July 5 through July 19 and welcomed 31 undergraduate and graduate pharmacy students from South Korea. The students hailed from Dongguk University, Ewha Womans University, Seoul National University, and Sungkyunkwan University. The goal of the two-week residential program was to introduce students to pharmacy education, clinical practice, biomedical research, and pharmaceutical career pathways in the United States.

From June 12 through 15, Rutgers University hosted a research collaboration and partnership development program that brought together approximately 200 biomedical researchers, medical school leaders, government-supported research fellows, and trainees from South Korea, reinforcing Rutgers' growing role as a global hub for biomedical innovation and international research partnerships. Hosted in collaboration with the Korea Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), the program brought together recipients of South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Overseas Training Program, Korean biomedical researchers, and representatives from many of Korea's leading medical schools and research organizations.

Rutgers University and Seoul National University (SNU) have launched the Visiting Graduate Student Program for the SNU Graduate School of AI Semiconductor, a structured research immersion initiative hosted by the Rutgers Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Rutgers successfully hosted its first SNU students this year: Dayoung Chun and Jihoon Kim. The doctoral candidates spent six months in the Rutgers ECE labs, attending lab meetings, engaging in one-on-one mentorship sessions with faculty, taking part in collaborative research discussions, and contributing directly to ongoing projects.  
 

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.