Yoo Ji-beom, the 22nd President of SKKU
On January 2nd, the presidential inauguration ceremony of Yoo Ji-beom — the 22nd president of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) — was held in the New Millenium Hall of the 600th Anniversary Hall. Before the ceremony, President Yoo attended the Goyurye, a traditional SKKU ritual held at the Munmyo shrine. Kim Joon-young, Chairman of the Board, gave a congratulatory address to celebrate the inauguration. “He actively participated in the institution’s key position as well as a professional in the Nano Technology and Advanced Materials sector at the time to make grand challenges,” he said, praising the new president, “I believe that President Yoo is best qualified to lead our university.” Yoon Yong-taek, President of the SKKU Alumni Association, also gave a congratulatory address. Moreover, President Yoo delivered his inauguration speech, and the event ended after the New Year’s ceremony and congratulatory performance. Meanwhile, President Yoo Ji-beom earned a master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Seoul National University and a doctor’s degree in Materials Engineering from Standford University. Furthermore, he served as a professor of advanced Materials Science and Engineering at SKKU, Deputy Director of the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nano Technology, and Dean of the College of Engineering Deputy Director of SKKU.
Inauguration Speech of President Yoo
President Yoo outlined the future directions and visions of SKKU throughout his inauguration speech. To begin, he emphasized a “creative collaboration and division of labor” for SKKU to adapt to the recent changes in higher institutions, such as the decline of the school-age population and the new educational system. The president also explained how the future of SKKU should move in the direction of “strengthening and expanding the research area.” Finally, he announced SKKU’s vision as “a great challenge for humanity and future society” and elaborated on the four plans to accomplish the insight. First, he declared that he would establish a data-integrated education system focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data to help students prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. Second, he promised to foster an active research environment and construct a new development platform. Specifically, he would increase collaborative research with various foreign research institutes and establish a new research area by strengthening interdisciplinary studies between Humanities and Social Science and Natural Science. Third, he stated that he would reinforce Industry-Academia Cooperation through technological development. This plan ultimately aims to restructure the SKKU campus by expanding the ecosystem network of the Industry-Academia Cooperation. Finally, for unique SKKU branding, he promised to manage an administration that holds mutual respect and actively embraces global issues. Meanwhile, President Yoo’s four-year term started on January 1st, 2023, and expires on December 31st, 2026.