On March 23, 2026, a delegation from Seoul National University (SNU) visited the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). The delegation was led by Prof. Hong-lim RYU, President of SNU, and included senior academic leaders and representatives from various disciplines. The visit aimed to deepen the longstanding partnership between the two institutions and explore new avenues for collaboration in education, research, and innovation.

The delegation was warmly received by Prof. Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech, along with Prof. Li JIN, Vice President for Global Strategies, and other faculty and administrative representatives.

Prof. Qikun XUE welcomed the SNU delegation and reflected on the rich history of engagement between the two universities. He highlighted key milestones since 2017, including reciprocal visits, the successful “SNU in Shenzhen” winter program, and over a dozen joint publications in top-tier journals across materials science, nanotechnology, and environmental science.

Prof. Hong-lim RYU expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed SNU’s commitment to strengthening ties with SUSTech. He noted the strong compatibility between the two institutions and expressed hope for continued collaboration in mutually beneficial areas.

During the discussion session, both delegations exchanged views on potential joint initiatives, including student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and innovation-driven partnerships. SNU representatives showed particular interest in SUSTech’s industry engagement model, prompting detailed exchanges on topics such as university-industry collaboration, entrepreneurship support, and institutional development.

SUSTech shared its experience in building joint laboratories and campuses with leading companies. Leveraging Shenzhen’s venture capital ecosystem, SUSTech has also established a seed fund in partnership with local venture capital firms to support early-stage innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, SUSTech provides training and laboratory resources for undergraduate and graduate students, with several faculty-led ventures approaching public listing and student startups achieving high valuations.

The two sides agreed to further deepen communication, with SNU committing to sharing institutional data with SUSTech as a foundation for continued collaboration. The SNU delegation included prominent scholars from engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and global affairs, reflecting the broad scope of potential cooperation. SUSTech representatives from across disciplines also participated in the discussions, underscoring the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

About Seoul National University
Seoul National University is a prestigious national research university located in Seoul, South Korea. It is widely regarded as one of the top universities in Asia, with strengths across a broad range of disciplines including engineering, natural sciences, medicine, and social sciences.