Yonsei Cheong-Song Forum Presenter: Dr. Min Kyung-chan, Director of National Commission for Strategic Planning On June 18, the 4th Yonsei Cheong-Song Forum was held at the Institute of East and West Studies with support from the Office of External Affairs and Development. Dr. Min Kyung-chan, Director of the National Commission for Strategic Planning, gave a lecture entitled “Educational Globalization Special Zone and a New Model of Higher Education.” Following Dr. Min’s presentation, there was a discussion which included the participation of Yonsei professors Choi Gang-sik (Economics?) and Kim Jeong-ho (Graduate School of Economics). In his presentation, Dr. Min underscored the urgent need for accelerating the process of globalization in Korean higher education. Drawing upon the examples of a variety of countries, he demonstrated how these nations are focusing on recruiting global talent to their universities, at the same time as they prioritize the training of their own students. In Japan and China, for instance, many institutions are pursuing extensive strategies for attracting international exchange students. Brazil is carrying out a plan to send 100,000 Brazilian students on study abroad programs over the next five years. Many North American and European countries are also adjusting policies to promote study abroad programs and support international exchange students. And in Canada, the government is considering a policy that would make immigration a viable option for international students in Masters and Doctoral programs. Dr. Min then introduced the Educational Globalization Special Zone Project, which has been launched by the Ministry of Education: “The project seeks to redress burdensome regulations which have stood in the way of more effectively promoting international cooperation and exchanges, as well as achieving higher, global standards in Korea.” Dr. Min stressed that universities in Korea need to be more appealing to talented students and scholars from throughout the world; and to achieve this, he concluded, it is essential that Korea continue to adapt its policies and make innovations in its academic environments.