Rutgers took a significant step to enhance innovation through its global partnerships during a trip to South Korea in October by a high-level delegation of the university’s academic and research leaders, marking a pivotal moment in the university's global outreach efforts. The week-long visit emphasized the university's commitment to advancing collaborative engagements with the country’s leading academic, industry, and government sectors.
Strengthening collaborations is critical to expanding Rutgers' engagement and advancing its research capabilities, particularly in the fields of biomedical and health sciences, engineering, and physical sciences.
The delegation was led by Prabhas V. Moghe, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Kathleen W. Scotto, Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Training, Rutgers Health, along with Eric (Rick) Garfunkel, Vice President for Global Affairs, and Ji-Yeung Jang, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs, from Rutgers Global.
“We were honored to showcase the Rutgers brand on a global stage while deepening the university’s collaborations with prominent institutions in the region,” said Dr. Moghe, who also is the chief academic officer for Rutgers. “The exchange of knowledge with our global partners enriches academic programs and fosters intellectual growth for students and faculty, driving innovation in teaching, learning, and research.”
A Strategic Focus on Academic and Research Partnerships
The delegation's visit focused on formalizing existing relationships and cultivating new ones with some of South Korea’s top universities. These engagements included site visits, research facility tours, and discussions on the future of academic and research collaboration. Notably, the delegation visited institutions such as CHA University, Ajou University, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Seoul National University (SNU), and Korea University (KU).
Dr. Scotto, who played a key role in organizing the trip, added: “The strengthened ties with top-tier universities, research institutes, and biotech communities will position Rutgers as a global leader in the fields of biomedical research and health sciences.”
During these visits, the delegation met with senior leadership, including university presidents, executive vice presidents, and deans, to explore joint initiatives and sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to foster continued academic exchange and innovation. Four MOUs were signed during the trip between Rutgers and CHA, Ajou, SKKU, and KU.
The delegation also visited leading health and biomedical research centers such as CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA Bio Complex, Samsung Medical Center, and the Samsung Advanced Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, where discussions focused on collaborative efforts in health sciences research, technology transfer, and biomedical engineering.
A major highlight was the Rutgers-SNU Joint Symposium on Pharmaceutical Research, which brought together experts from both institutions to discuss cutting-edge developments in the field, setting the stage for deeper collaboration.
Building Connections with South Korea’s Dynamic Industry and Government Landscape
A key component of the trip was engaging with South Korea’s thriving biotech and biomedical sectors, as well as its government agencies supporting innovation and research. The Rutgers Partnership Day was a central event, drawing nearly 70 leaders from academia, industry, and government. Participants discussed potential collaboration opportunities in biomedical and health sciences, research and development (R&D), technology transfer, and commercialization. This forum served as a bridge between Rutgers and South Korean entities, helping identify avenues for joint research projects, innovation initiatives, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Dr. Garfunkel said, “This trip to South Korea underscores Rutgers' commitment to fostering international collaborations and expanding its role in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges through groundbreaking research and education.”
Additionally, the delegation met with the leadership from notable organizations such as the Korea Bio Research Association (KOBRA), KoreaBIO, and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), strengthening Rutgers’ network in the global biomedical research community.
Promoting Rutgers Excellence and Connecting with Prospective Students
As part of its commitment to attracting top-tier graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the delegation took proactive steps to promote Rutgers’ academic programs and research excellence. At the K-BIOX AI Healthcare and Drug Discovery Summit, attended by more than 1,000 participants, the Rutgers team showcased the university’s role as a leader in biomedical research, innovation, and education. The summit also provided a platform to highlight Rutgers as an ideal destination for graduate education, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and health care.
A dedicated Rutgers booth at both the Rutgers Partnership Day and the K-BIOX Summit attracted more than 300 students eager to learn about the university’s programs and opportunities. Throughout the visit, Dr. Moghe delivered presentations on Rutgers' research capabilities and the value of academic training at the university. Additionally, faculty members from Rutgers Health engaged with over 100 prospective graduate students and postdoctoral candidates, providing guidance through mentoring sessions and personal consultations.
Engaging with Rutgers Alumni in South Korea
Another important aspect of the trip was reconnecting with Rutgers alumni living and working in South Korea. The Rutgers Alumni Reception was a vibrant gathering, attended by alumni, Rutgers students who are studying abroad in South Korea, and other individuals with affinity to the University. The event not only celebrated the achievements of Rutgers graduates but also strengthened the global Rutgers community, providing a platform for alumni to network with university leaders and peers.
A Successful Visit with Lasting Impact
The visit was also notable for deeper engagement with prospective graduate students and postdocs, and alumni. The opportunity to recruit top students and postdoctoral researchers who will contribute to the vibrant intellectual community at our university elevates Rutgers’ global presence, further enhancing its ability to attract top talent and drive innovation.
The university delegation also explored potential student experiential learning opportunities in South Korea, where our students can gain valuable international experience and expand their academic and cultural perspectives.
With continued engagement in South Korea and beyond, Rutgers is poised to lead in the global knowledge economy and make significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology worldwide.
The Rutgers Delegation
The Rutgers delegation included Prabhas Moghe, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; Kathleen W. Scotto, Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Training, Rutgers Health; Andrew Thomas, Senior Associate Dean, Professor and Chair for Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School; Antonina Mitrofanova, Associate Dean for Research, Associate Professor of Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Health Professions; Georgios Kotsakis, Professor and Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Director of Research, School of Dental Medicine; Steven An, Associate Director, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science and Professor of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Eric Garfunkel, Vice President for Global Affairs and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Physics, School of Arts and Sciences; Ji-Yeung Jang, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs; and Shuman Wen, Assistant Director, Global Initiatives at Rutgers Global.
There were also several faculty in the delegation from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy School at Rutgers: Christina Glytsou, Assistant Professor, Chemical Biology; Matthew J. McBride, Assistant Professor of Chemical Biology; Luigi Brunetti, Associate Professor and Chair, Pharmacy Practice and Administration; Mary Bridgeman, Clinical Associate Professor; Matthew Moschitto, Assistant Professor, Medicinal Chemistry; Guofeng You, Distinguished Professor, Pharmaceutics; Renping Zhou, Professor of Chemical Biology, Associate Dean for Research;, and Grace Guo, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Take a look at photos from the visit.