Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) has signed successive academic exchange agreements with leading universities in Southeast Asia, enhancing its stature as a global university.

President Seo Geoseok visited major prestigious universities in Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia from March 19 to March 27 and achieved results including academic exchange agreements and the implementation of international dual-degree programs.

On his first stop in Thailand, President Seo visited Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's top institution and a university ranked among the world's top 100, and signed an agreement with President Pirom Kamol-ratanakul focusing on student exchange and related cooperation.

Under this agreement, JBNU and Chulalongkorn University agreed to implement an international dual-degree program and to exchange students. In particular, Thai students will be dispatched to JBNU's International Summer University this summer.

They subsequently signed agreements with major universities in Cambodia and the Philippines to implement international dual-degree programs, further broadening opportunities for students to study abroad and earn degrees from both institutions.

First, with the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's first and largest prestigious university, they agreed to implement a dual-degree program in biology, computer engineering, and physics starting this September. They also agreed to implement a dual-degree program centered on the College of Engineering with De La Salle University in the Philippines, to which JBNU already sends students through its overseas exchange program, the "Global Leader Project."

In addition, with De La Salle University, they will establish faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and a mentor-mentee system between students of both universities. De La Salle University will invite its students to JBNU's International Summer University.

Notably, President Seo received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from De La Salle University President Raymundo Suplido at the university's 55th commencement ceremony on March 25.

Having signed an agreement with the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2001 and maintained active exchanges, JBNU will, through this visit, also implement an international dual-degree program with the University of the Philippines Manila. They will proceed with faculty exchanges and collaborative research, and will dispatch Korean language instructors to provide Korean language education.

During the visit, President Seo also met with Im Jae-hong, the Republic of Korea's Ambassador to Thailand, and Kim Han-soo, Ambassador to Cambodia, among others, and agreed to jointly promote overseas internships for students, further expanding opportunities for JBNU students to go abroad.

President Seo Geoseok said, "The various collaborations with leading Southeast Asian universities mean that we have provided students with better educational opportunities and a valuable chance to develop a global mindset," adding, "By implementing practical and diverse exchanges, such as international dual-degree programs, we have moved one step closer to establishing a truly global campus."