Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), led by President Yang O-bong, which is promoting the Glocal University 30 project to attract 5,000 international students and emerge as a global hub, has initiated close cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic.

On the morning of January 23, President Yang O-bong of JBNU met with Aida Ismailova, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea, who visited JBNU, and held in-depth discussions on cooperation between the two countries in higher education and technology.

Also attending was Min Byung-do, CEO of Pavers Group Co., Ltd., a talent development business firm carrying out various projects in Central Asia, who agreed to support cooperation with major universities in the Kyrgyz Republic.

During the meeting, President Yang and Ambassador Ismailova discussed plans to establish a JBNU International Center in the Kyrgyz Republic. They also exchanged views on the upcoming visit to the Kyrgyz Republic next week, including a meeting with the Kyrgyz Minister of Education and memoranda of understanding with the national university and the national technical university, and discussed ways to expand academic exchanges.

President Yang O-bong of JBNU said, 'The Kyrgyz Embassy in Korea has supported our university even before the Glocal University 30 project was selected and has provided great assistance in cooperation with universities in the Kyrgyz Republic. Next week, I will visit the Kyrgyz Republic in person to meet with the Minister of Education and with educational institutions that have shown strong interest in our university, and I will do my utmost to recruit international students for JBNU.'

Meanwhile, Ambassador Ismailova met at 2 p.m. that day with the Vice Mayor of Jeonju to discuss regional cooperation in politics, economy, and culture. She then visited the Gimje Smart Farm Innovation Valley to tour the latest smart farm technologies and facilities and to explore possibilities for cooperation in agricultural and technological innovation in the Jeonbuk region.