JBU and South Korea’s Handong Global University Begin Partnership
SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. (Feb. 26, 2016) – John Brown University and Handong Global University (HGU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today, marking the beginning of a partnership to open study abroad programs, research collaboration, and faculty and staff exchanges. Doo-Pil Kang, dean of admissions and HR development, and Nick Lantinga, headmaster of HGU’s Carmichael College, represented HGU at the event.
“We are honored to have Dr. Kang and Dr. Lantinga at JBU and grateful to partner with Handong Global University in training students to honor God and serve others,” said JBU President Chip Pollard. “This partnership will provide greater global opportunities for both JBU and HGU students and staff, and we look forward to working with HGU in the coming years.”
“We too are grateful for the partnership between these two institutions,” said Kang. “HGU and JBU share the mission of training the next generation of Christian leaders, and I believe today is just the beginning of many collaborations we will have in the future.”
JBU began discussing a partnership over a year ago after finalizing recruitment and retention priorities. Ted Song, JBU assistant professor of engineering, travelled to South Korea in July 2015 to meet with HGU leadership; after continuing conversations university leadership made plans to sign the MOU. Final terms of the partnership and program specifics will be established in the coming months.
The institutions hope to have a student exchange program outlined by the end of this spring semester with the possibility of student participation as early as fall 2016. Faculty and staff research and exchanges will be discussed over the next 12 months along with curriculum collaboration, dual academic programs, joint student projects and specialized training programs.
“Few institutions are so well connected and so thoroughly grounded in a common perspective,” said Lantinga. “We are thrilled to be able to work with JBU to set forward a series of relationships that will bear great fruits for God’s kingdom.”
While in the U.S., HGU representatives Kang and Lantinga will meet with several JBU committees on program potentials and will also travel to Dallas with Steve Beers, vice president at JBU, Song and two JBU students on Saturday, Feb. 26. The team will introduce the new partnership to members of Dallas’ Korean-American community, one of the largest in the U.S., at Semihan Church (1615 Belt Line Rd, Carrollton) at 6:30 p.m.
“HGU is a leading Christian institution in Asia and has been making incredible impact all over the world,” said Song. “I believe this partnership will enable alumni to be a bridge between these two nations that have historically been great partners in serving God.”
Handong Global University, located in Pohang, South Korea, is a leading Christian university committed to following Jesus Christ and training global leaders to change the world. Founded in 1995, HGU enrolls over 4,000 undergraduate students from 35 countries. The Korean Ministry of Education has ranked HGU first among all colleges and universities in Korea for student services and in the top tier for its academic programs. HGU is a member of the global hub for the United Nations Academic Impact and an international affiliate of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Ranked No. 2 among Southern regional colleges by U.S. News, JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 42 states and 39 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.
##30##
