Strengthen Academic Partnerships
Develop and deepen relationships with leading Korean universities to support sustained institutional, faculty, and academic collaboration.
South Korea Initiative
Photo: A crowd gathers for the Rutgers-South Korea R&D event
Vision
Rutgers University is deepening its engagement with South Korea through strategic academic partnerships, research collaboration, student mobility, industry and government connections, and alumni engagements. By connecting Rutgers faculty, students, and academic units with leading Korean institutions, Rutgers Global helps create opportunities that advance Rutgers' academic, research, and global engagement priorities.
Strategic Goals for the South Korea Initiative
Advance Research and Innovation
Connect Rutgers faculty and research labs with Korean counterparts and create opportunities for joint research, scholarly exchange, funding, and university-industry collaboration.
Expand Global Learning and Mobility
Develop opportunities for Rutgers and Korean students and faculty through exchanges, short-term programs, research experiences, professional education, and other forms of academic mobility.
Enhance Global Visibility and Branding
Strengthen Rutgers' visibility and reputation in South Korea to attract graduate students, postdocs, and potential academic and research partners.
Position Rutgers as a leading U.S. partner with Korea's global R&D ecosystem through strategic events, stakeholder engagement, and targeted institutional partnerships.
Featured News
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.
Key Activities & Highlights
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- Memoranda of Understanding signed with Seoul National University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, CHA University, and Ajou University
- Seoul National University College of Pharmacy and Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy established a Joint Research Center and have hosted annual joint symposia since 2024.
- Rutgers faculty from English, AI, medicine, chemistry, applied psychology, engineering, dental medicine, and human ecology have delivered lectures, seminars, and workshops at partner institutions in South Korea.
- Rutgers faculty from public health, nutritional sciences, and pharmacy have participated virtually in the Global Health Seminar at CHA University.
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- Rutgers and Korea University established a joint seed grant, supporting collaborative research with three KU–Rutgers faculty teams selected in the first year.
- Rutgers was selected as a Korea Bio Research Association (KOBRA) Global Hub, with 20 Rutgers labs represented in the network. Rutgers faculty in chemistry, health professions, AI, and medicine participated in the KOBRA Conference in May 2026.
- Rutgers hosted a Research Workshop with the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), bringing together participants in South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare Overseas Training Program and representatives from leading Korean medical schools and research organizations.
- Rutgers faculty are participating in Kyung Hee University’s Eminent Scholars Program to advance collaborative research, high-impact publications, and academic exchange.
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School hosted a joint research symposium with the Interdisciplinary Society of Genetic/Genomic Medicine in South Korea.
- Rutgers faculty in genetics collaborated with the University of Ulsan on a successful joint research proposal and are now advancing related research and publications.
- Two SNU doctoral researchers have undertaken six-month research training at Rutgers.
- Rutgers Health and Korean companies have explored opportunities involving clinical research, AI in health, cancer innovation, and healthcare delivery. In collaboration with Choose New Jersey, Rutgers also hosted approximately 25 Korean companies to showcase the university’s research strengths and innovation ecosystem.
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- Rutgers faculty and students participate in Korea University’s Climate Corps program, which brings together more than 150 students and faculty from around the world to develop solutions to the climate crisis.
- 40 Rutgers students participated in an immersive visit to LG Electronics North America, gaining firsthand exposure to one of South Korea’s leading global companies and exploring innovation, sustainability, corporate culture, and career pathways.
- More than 300 Rutgers students participated in the Korean Night Market Showcase, experiencing Korean culture through food, performances, and activities.
- More than 100 students from South Korea have participated in Rutgers short-term academic programs since 2024. These include 31 pharmacy students from SNU, SKKU, Ewha, and Dongguk who participated in the two-week Rutgers Pharmacy Summer Program in July 2026, as well as customized programs in AI and biotechnology, HR management, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and peace studies.
- SNU dental externships are creating a new professional student mobility pathway between the two universities.
- Rutgers faculty in chemistry and translational research host undergraduate students from DGIST in South Korea for summer research internships.
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- Rutgers co-hosted four K-BIOX AI Healthcare and Drug Discovery Summits in Seoul and Boston, engaging more than 2,500 participants and highlighting Rutgers’ research strengths and opportunities for graduate education and postdoctoral training.
- Rutgers hosted a Symposium on Korea–US R&D Collaborations and Funding Opportunities, bringing together more than 130 stakeholders from government, academia, and industry in Korea and the U.S.
- Rutgers hosted a Rutgers Partnership Day in South Korea to facilitate discussions between Rutgers researchers and Korean BioHealth companies and universities.
- Rutgers hosted South Korean government officials in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York to showcase Rutgers’ community engagement in New Brunswick.
- Alumni receptions in Seoul have complemented Rutgers’ academic engagement and strengthened the university’s alumni community in Korea.
Our Engagement in South Korea: Photos
Be sure to also visit our Flickr page for photo albums of recent delegations to South Korea, as well as visits from our colleagues and partners in South Korea.
How to Get Involved & Contact Info
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- Share Your South Korea-Related Work: Let us know about existing collaborations, research, or institutional connections so we can coordinate and amplify efforts.
- Join or Support Delegations: Participate in future Rutgers visits to South Korea or help host visiting scholars, faculty, and partners on campus.
- Collaborate on Academic Programs: Propose ideas for joint research, workshops, short-term programs, exchanges, or dual-degree pathways.
- Explore Student Opportunities: study abroad programs, cultural events, lectures, and South Korea-focused student groups.
- Connect as Alumni & Community Members: Offer mentorship, internships, professional opportunities, or support for cultural and educational programming.
- If You Are Traveling to South Korea: Inform Rutgers Global. We can help curate meetings, institutional visits, talks/lectures, and connect your travel with broader university engagement.
- Subscribe to Rutgers Global Connections newsletter and follow Rutgers Global on social media to stay informed about new partnerships, travel opportunities, and announcements.
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Ji-Yeung Jang, Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs: jjang@global.rutgers.edu