Mississippi State President Robert “Doc” Foglesong traveled last week to South Korea in hopes of strengthening the university’s bonds with the country’s colleges and businesses.
J.P. Shim, professor of management and information systems and a South Korea native, accompanied Foglesong.
The two visited six universities in four cities: Korea International Culture University, Daejon University, Kyungpook National University, Yeungman University, Catholic University of Daegu and Kwangwoon University.
“We wanted to encourage their students to come here to Mississippi State and send our students to Korea to understand the global economic environment,” Foglesong said.
Shim explained that the ceremonies mean Mississippi State and the other organization agree to exchange students, participate and help each other in research projects and share publications and findings.
Foglesong and Shim also visited two Mississippi State alumni groups, including alumni serving as university officials at South Korea institutions.
Foglesong said some of the Mississippi State alumni there are interested in starting an alumni chapter in South Korea.
“The purpose of the trip was to establish a relationship, reaffirm a relationship in some places and meet with Mississippi State alumni,” Foglesong said.
Foglesong and Shim visited two to three universities each day for three days to meet with the officials. They also met the U.S. ambassador and other influential business and educational leaders in South Korea.
“We met a number of university presidents and talked about student exchange programs and how to build good leadership programs,” Shim said.
Shim, who planned the trip and directs Mississippi State’s international business strategy program in the College of Business and Industry, said he hopes the trip makes students think about international affairs and globalization.
“I really value globalization,” Shim said. “I tell my students, ‘You are now in a global society to understand what is going on in the other part of the world.'”
Shim said it is important for Mississippi State students to experience international affairs because there is more going on in the world than just the United States or Mississippi.
“Mississippi State is interested in providing an international program to provide our students with global, economic, environmental and security issues,” Foglesong said.
Foglesong gave a special lecture on leadership to more than 500 students at Catholic University of Daegu.
Shim said the lecture focused on a key component of globalization is leadership.
“It’s hard to lead without having international or global exposure. Our students should understand what is going on globally. Without understanding globalization, leadership is very difficult,” he said.
Shim said South Korea is the world leader in information technology. He goes to South Korea once or twice a year, and said that he enjoys going there to learn about and experience technology and advancements.
“It’s great for me to learn there, and then my students here learn something from me that is going on in the world,” he said.
Mississippi State has about 30 exchange students from South Korea currently on campus.
Shim hopes to increase this number to about 100 in the next few years. During the trip, Shim was asked to return to South Korea to give presentations at two universities.
“Dr. Foglesong’s international travels are an important part of the strategy for the university to be more internationally focused and to open more international opportunities for our students and our faculty,” Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, said.
Foglesong said he and Shim also met with several political leaders in South Korea to discuss the U.S. House and Senate elections.
He said in speaking with the leaders that he got a better understanding for how South Korea and its leaders feel about America.