Strengthening Global Academic Excellence: Universiti Malaya's Visit to South Korea
- UM Research
- May 7
- 7 min read
Updated: May 9
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Universiti Malaya paid a courtesy visit to four (4) South Korean universities including a courtesy visit to the Embassy of Malaysia in Seoul.
These visits include:
Daejeon
21 April 2025 (Monday) – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Seoul
23 April 2025 (Wednesday) – Yonsei University, Embassy of Malaysia
24 April 2025 (Thursday) – Seoul National University (SNU)
25 April 2025 (Friday) – Korea University (KU),
Day 1: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology University (KAIST)
Date: 21 April 2025 (Monday)
Time: 1.25 to 3.30 pm
List of KAIST Delegates:
Prof. So Young Kim (Vice president of International Office)
Prof. Byung-Kwan Cho (Vice president of Office of Research Affairs)
Prof. Jae Woo Lee (Associate Dean of the College of Engineering)
Programme:
1. Vision Hall Tour
The visit to Vision Hall at KAIST, Daejeon, serves as a key introduction to the university’s strategic direction, institutional philosophy, and global ambitions in science and technology. As a symbolic and informative space, Vision Hall showcases KAIST’s journey, research milestones, innovation impact, and future vision as a world-leading institution. This visit provides delegates from Universiti Malaya with valuable context on KAIST’s institutional identity, leadership priorities, and commitment to excellence, setting the tone for deeper engagement throughout the collaborative tour. It also reinforces the importance of visionary leadership and strategic planning in driving academic transformation.
2. Official Benchmarking Visit and Research Collaboration between UM and KAIST
The official visit by Universiti Malaya to KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) in Daejeon marks a significant step towards strengthening academic excellence through international benchmarking and strategic research collaboration. The delegation aims to explore KAIST’s governance model, research ecosystem, and innovation strategies that have positioned it as a global leader in science and technology. Through high-level engagements, institutional sharing sessions, and exploratory discussions, the visit seeks to identify best practices in interdisciplinary research, commercialization, and talent development. It also paves the way for potential joint initiatives and long-term partnerships aligned with Universiti Malaya’s mission to become a globally competitive, research-intensive university.
3. Drug Discovery and Organic Synthesis Lab Tour
The visit to the Drug Discovery and Organic Synthesis Laboratory at KAIST provided an insightful overview of the institution’s cutting-edge research in medicinal chemistry, molecular design, and synthetic methodologies. The tour highlighted KAIST’s integrated approach to early-stage drug development, combining organic synthesis, computational modeling, and bioassay techniques to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutic compounds. Delegates from Universiti Malaya had the opportunity to engage with leading researchers, observe state-of-the-art facilities, and discuss potential areas for collaborative research, particularly in addressing global health challenges through innovative and translational science.
Day 2: Yonsei University
Date: 23 April 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 11.00 am
Venue: Underwood Hall
List of Yonsei University Delegates
Professor Won-Yong Lee, Executive Vice President for Research Affairs
Professor Jongill Hong, Vice President for Research Affairs
Professor Yong-Chan Kim, Vice President for International Affairs
Mr. Changsoon Kwak, Director, Office of Research Affairs
Ms. Kileun Oh, Director, Office of International Affairs
Programme:
1. Official Benchmarking Visit and Research Collaboration between UM and Yonsei University
The Official Benchmarking Visit to Yonsei University represents a strategic initiative by Universiti Malaya to enhance its academic and research excellence through international collaboration. As one of South Korea’s leading institutions, Yonsei University serves as an important model for innovative research management, global engagement, and academic leadership. This visit aims to facilitate high-level discussions on institutional governance, research strategy, and partnership opportunities, with a particular focus on fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and academic mobility. It underscores Universiti Malaya’s ongoing commitment to aligning with global best practices and strengthening its position as a premier research-intensive university in the region.
2. Campus Tour
The Yonsei University Campus Tour offers delegates from Universiti Malaya an opportunity to experience firsthand the vibrant academic environment, rich heritage, and world-class facilities of one of South Korea’s oldest and most prestigious universities. The tour highlights key landmarks such as the historic Underwood Hall, modern research complexes, student innovation hubs, and sustainable campus initiatives, reflecting Yonsei’s seamless integration of tradition and innovation. Through this visit, participants gain valuable insights into campus planning, student-centered learning spaces, and the university’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and globally connected academic community.
Day 2 (cont.): Embassy of Malaysia, Seoul, Korea
Date: 23 April 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 3.30 pm
Venue: Embassy of Malaysia
List of Malaysia Embassy representatives:
1. Mr. Shahril Nizam Idris, Counsellor (Education & Training)
2. Mr. Mohd Zul Faisal Mohamed Zin, Counsellor (MARA Student Affairs)
The Universiti Malaya delegation’s visit to the Embassy of Malaysia in Seoul provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between the academic and diplomatic communities. The engagement included insightful briefings from embassy officials on Malaysia–Korea bilateral relations, with a focus on advancing educational collaboration, research partnerships, and support for Malaysian scholars in South Korea. The session also highlighted the Embassy’s pivotal role in facilitating international linkages and promoting Malaysia’s higher education agenda on the global stage. This visit reinforced the importance of diplomatic support in expanding UM’s international presence and strategic outreach.
Day 3: Seoul National University
Date: 24 April 2025
Time: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
List of SNU Delegates
Official Visit
Prof. Jae W. Lee, Vice President of International Affairs
Ms. Sunju Park, Director of Partnerships & Intl Education
Inter-University Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC)
1. Prof Hyuk-Jae Lee, Director ISRC
2. Associate Prof Jerald Yoo
3. Soon Oh Park, Head of Equipment Operation & Maintenance ISRC
Programme:
1. Official Benchmarking Visit and Research Collaboration between UM and Seoul National University
The Official Benchmarking Visit to Seoul National University (SNU) serves as a strategic platform for Universiti Malaya to engage with one of Asia’s top research universities in pursuit of academic excellence and impactful research collaboration. The visit focuses on understanding SNU’s institutional strategies in research governance, internationalization, and interdisciplinary innovation. Through focused discussions and institutional sharing, both universities aim to explore collaborative opportunities in frontier research areas, joint academic initiatives, and student mobility programs. This engagement reflects UM’s commitment to building strong global partnerships that support its vision of becoming a world-class, research-intensive university.
2. Visit to Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC)
As part of its official visit to Seoul National University, the Universiti Malaya delegation toured the Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center (ISRC), a leading multidisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing semiconductor technologies. The visit offered an in-depth look at ISRC’s role in driving innovation through collaborative research across Korean universities and its strong linkages with the semiconductor industry. Through presentations and lab walkthroughs, the delegation gained exposure to pioneering work in areas such as chip design, nanoelectronics, and fabrication technologies. The engagement opened avenues for potential joint research initiatives and capacity building, in line with UM’s strategic focus on high-impact engineering and technology domains.
Day 4: Korea University
Date: 25 April 2025
Time: 10.00 – 1.00 pm
Venue: Main Building, Conference Room 1F
List of Korea University Delegates
4. Prof. Yongeun YOO, Vice President, Planning
6. Prof. Jong-ug JEON, Research Affairs
7. Mr. Donghyun JANG, Director, Office of International Affairs
8. Dr. William STEWART, Associate Director, International Cooperation
9. Staff from Research Affairs
Programme:
1. Official Benchmarking Visit and Research Collaboration between UM and Korea University
Universiti Malaya’s official visit to Korea University marks a strategic initiative to deepen academic collaboration and benchmark against one of South Korea’s leading institutions. The visit provides a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue on research excellence, institutional innovation, and global academic mobility. Through structured meetings, knowledge-sharing sessions, and exploratory discussions, both universities aim to strengthen ties in collaborative research, joint programs, and talent development. This engagement reflects UM’s continued commitment to global partnerships that drive impactful scholarship and support its aspiration to be a top-tier research university on the international stage.
2. Visit to the Faculty of Engineering
The visit to the Faculty of Engineering at Korea University offered the Universiti Malaya delegation an in-depth look into one of South Korea’s most advanced and innovative engineering faculties. Through briefings, lab tours, and academic exchanges, the delegation explored Korea University’s strengths in emerging technologies such as smart manufacturing, robotics, and sustainable engineering. The visit also provided a platform to discuss research priorities, industry linkages, and curriculum development, with the aim of identifying potential areas for collaboration. This engagement supports UM’s objective of enhancing its engineering education and research ecosystem through global benchmarking and strategic academic partnerships.
Day 4 (cont.): Samsung Advanced Institute for Healths Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University
Date: 25 April 2025
Time: 3.00 pm
Venue: Kangbuk Samsung Hospital
List of SAIHST Delegates:
1. Professor Juhee Cho, Director of Cancer Education Centre and Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Samsung Medical Centre
2. Professor Yoosoo Chang, Director of Centre for Cohort Studies Total Healthcare, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital
3. Professor Seungho Ryu, Director of Healthcare Data Centre, Kangbuk Sambung Hospital
4. Professor Hoon Kim, Professor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University
The Universiti Malaya delegation’s meeting with researchers from Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST) from Sungkyunkwan University at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital provided a unique opportunity to explore an integrated model of academic medicine, biomedical innovation, and translational research. Hosted within a dynamic ecosystem supported by both academia and industry, SAIHST exemplifies how cross-sector collaboration can drive advancements in digital health, precision medicine, and medical technology. The engagement included presentations on key research initiatives, healthcare innovation strategies, and potential areas for joint collaboration. This visit aligns with UM’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities in health sciences and fostering impactful, interdisciplinary research partnerships at the global level. The visit end with tour at the Kangbuk Health Screening Centre which further demonstrated Korea’s strengths in preventive care, population health management, and data-driven health services.
Universiti Malaya’s Delegation
From left to right:
Professor Ir. Dr. Suhana Binti Mohd Said
Executive Director
Department of Research Management
Professor Dr. Sanjay Rampal A/L Lekhraj Rampal
Executive Director
Department of Research Development
Professor Ir. Dr. Kaharudin Bin Dimyati
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
University of Malaya
Mr. Khalil Munawar Bin Makhdum Munawar
Assistant Registrar
Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Author:
Mr. Khalil Munawar Bin Makhdum Munawar
Assistant Registrar
Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Copyedit:
Ms Siti Farhana Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, Department of Research Management (JPP), UM
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