Ajou University, Ranked 9th among Korean Universities for 2 years by THE World University Rankings 2025

Our university ranked 9th among Korean universities in the "2025 THE WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS", maintaining the 501-600th rank following last year. The World University Rankings, published annually by Times Higher Education, a British university evaluation agency, is known to focus on research and educational conditions rather than school reputation, and evaluates university performance in five areas and 18 detailed indicators using papers, citations, and surveys by professors. The 2025 rankings was attended by 2,092 universities from 115 countries. In our university, the score increased in three out of five evaluation items. The score increased from 37.7 to 38.7 in the research environment, from 52.8 to 53.9 in research quality, and from 92.3 to 94.2 in industry-academia cooperation. Education maintained a score of 35.6, and internationalization fell 0.2 points, but the impact on the ranking was minimal. Since the 2018 ranking, it has maintained an upward trend in the ranking, receiving higher scores than the previous year. In particular, in last year's evaluation, it entered the top 500 for the first time, with an increase of 18 points in industry-academic cooperation and more than 11 points in the research environment, and this year, it has risen slightly and maintained a stable top 500. This year, it recorded the highest score among the top 500 domestic universities, and it is expected to enter the top 500 in the future. The world's No. 1 ranking is Oxford University, which has maintained its No. 1 ranking for nine years since 2017. MIT, Harvard, and Princeton University ranked second, third and fourth, while Cambridge University maintained its ranking at fifth. In Korean universities, Seoul National University, KAIST, and Yonsei University ranked first, second and third, while Sungkyunkwan University made strides, climbing more than 40 notches. Konkuk University, Kyungpook National University, and Ulsan National University are among the top 500 universities, while Sogang University, University of Seoul, and Inha University remained at 801-1000.

2024 Summer Ajou Global Frontier Program Achievement Presentation

The "2024 Summer Ajou Global Frontier" program, an overseas study initiative supported by the University Innovation Support Project, was created to provide students with opportunities for self-development and career advancement even under challenging conditions. The achievement presentation took place on September 11th at Ajou University's Yulgok Hall Innovation Sharing Lounge. This year, a total of 30 Ajou University students participated, with 15 attending Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China in July and another 15 studying at UC San Diego in the United States in August. The presentation event was attended by the Vice President of International Affairs, the Vice President, and other administrators along with the participating students. The Vice President of International Affairs opened the event by expressing, "Seeing the students' vibrant energy after the program, it’s clear that this was a valuable experience. I hope this opportunity helped them broaden their perspectives and foster lasting friendships with international friends." The Vice President also remarked, "Many students tend to have preconceived notions about China and may hesitate to apply, but I applaud the courage of those who embraced this challenge and gained meaningful experiences." During the event, participants shared the transformations and educational insights they gained during the program, reflecting on their experiences and presenting the outcomes of their challenges. Chae Eun Jo(Department of English Language and Literature, '19), who attended UC San Diego, shared, "Using the campus gym allowed me to make friends with locals, and I took it further by running around Gold’s Gym, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica Beach, which helped me strengthen my physical and language skills, making it a rewarding time." MinKwon Choi (Department of Software, '22), who studied at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, stated, "Practicing daily Chinese expressions in conversation with locals was an effective way to improve my language skills. This Chinese language study program was so fulfilling that I’m eager to recommend it to my friends and peers." The program was entirely funded by Ajou University's University Innovation Support Project and school funds. <University of California, San Diego> <Shanghai JiaoTong University> <Choi Min Kwon is presenting a Mini Challenge>

President Choi, Keechoo participated in the EAIE 2024 conference.. Discuss ways to cooperate with global universities

President Choi, Keechoo and our university officials participated in the <EAIE 2024 Conference> held in Toulouse, France. This is to expand our university's global network through exchanges with global universities. The "EAIE Conference" is an event organized by the European Association for International Education and is held in Europe every September. This year, it was held from September 17th to the 20th in Toulouse, a city in southern France, with 6,000 university officials from around the world participating. President Choi, Keechoo, International Cooperation Minister Lee Seok-Won, International Exchange Team Director Kim Joong-Hwa and other working-level officials held a meeting with officials from more than 40 global universities to discuss ways to exchange and cooperate. Nine of them agreed to sign agreements for full-fledged exchanges as sister universities. Nine universities, including TU Dresden in Germany, University of Vigo in Spain, University of Pisa in Italy, University of Toulouse in France and Hong Kong Metropolitan University, have agreed to sign sisterhood agreements with Ajou University. Following their attendance at the conference, President Choi, Keechoo and his party visited Nantes University in France. Founded in 1973 based on the "Agreement on Establishing a Beginner University of Korea-France Technology" with the cooperation of the Korean and French governments, Ajou University (then Ajou Industrial Elementary University) had a close relationship with Nantes University in the early days of its opening. “During the first four years of the school, 20 to 30 faculty members of Nantes University were dispatched to Ajou University's campus for lectures and experimental practice”, President Choi, Keechoo said at a ceremony to deliver the appreciation plaque following the re-agreement with Nantes University. Also he said "We received a lot of help in establishing a solid curriculum at Ajou University, selecting students, industry-academic cooperation, and practical engineering education in parallel with theory and practice." President Choi, Keechoo and his group met with officials from Nantes University and discussed ways to cooperate between the two universities, such as research cooperation and the operation of multiple degrees. There was also a meeting with exchange students from our school who were dispatched to study there. Ajou University President and his delegation visit the University of Toulouse in France to take a commemorative photo with officials President Keechoo Choi visits Nantes University to re-agreement and delivers a plaque of appreciation to President Carine Bernault of the university President Choi, Keechoo's party with Ajou University exchange students studying at Nantes University

Professor Kim Jong-hyun developed a 'semiconductor AI platform' with Korean and Australian institutions

A research team led by Professor Kim Jong-hyun of our universityl's Department of Applied Chemistry will participate in the "Project to Establish a Hub for Cooperation with Excellent Overseas Research Institutions" organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Research Foundation. This project is in progress to secure and advance basic source technologies through long-term joint research with excellent overseas institutions. Professor Kim Jong-hyun (Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Molecular Science and Technology) announced that he will conduct joint research with Australian universities and companies under the theme of "Development of AI Platform for Development of Next-Generation High-Performance Hybrid Semiconductor Materials." University of New South Wales (UNSW), Macquarie University, and PV Lighthouse, a software company in the photovoltaic field will participate together. Ajou University will be the lead research institute, and research teams from Hanyang University and Chung-Ang University will also participate. A total of 2.7 billion won will be supported for five years, and Australian participating organizations will match about 6 billion won. Through this project, the joint research team aims to develop a "hybrid semiconductor AI platform." This platform is expected to significantly reduce the cost and time required to develop new semiconductor materials and devices, as it can predict not only the composition of materials suitable for the application of photoelectric semiconductor devices but also the structure and physical properties of devices. The Korean research team will focus on developing hybrid semiconductor materials and devices and collecting high-reliability data from them, while the Australian research team will develop AI platforms and conduct empirical research using the collected data. PV Lighthouse, which participates in this study, is the world's first company to succeed in mass production of simulation programs in the field of photoelectric semiconductor devices, and provides the joint research team with the right to use the developed program. Professor Kim Jong-hyun, who is in charge of the project's general research, said, "We have been conducting joint research on next-generation hybrid semiconductor materials with various Australian institutions for the past seven years. We plan to conduct this research project based on the prior technologies secured through this research." Professor Kim continued, "This global joint research is a good opportunity to send students who want to study the field to high-level overseas research institutes," adding, "It will also contribute to fostering global human resources in the semiconductor field." Explanation of the semiconductor AI platform that Professor Kim Jong-hyun's research team intends to develop through international joint research

AI Mobility Students Participate in Training Program at the University of Michigan, US

The University of Michigan training program involving students from our university's AI Mobility Engineering Department has been completed. For 10 days, 19 students had the opportunity to expand their knowledge. 19 students from the AI Mobility Engineering Department and two advisory professors participated in the "Global Mobility Specialized Education Overseas Short-Term Training" held in July. The education was conducted at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Students attended several seminars on the University of Michigan campus and had time to take a look at related facilities and laboratories. On-site visits to mobility-related companies (IPG Automotive USA) were also conducted. Researchers from the University of Michigan and Ajou University and experts from related companies came out as speakers of the seminar. Necessity and Elements of Simulation for Self-Driving Verification, Measurement of the Stability of Self-Driving Mobility, Overview of Self-Driving Technology, Introduction of Aerospace Engineering, Introduction of Self-Driving Code, etc. were held. Also, students had a chance to visit The University of Michigan's proud mobility test site, "M-city," and had a Q&A session with local researchers. Ajou University has implemented an overseas training program at the University of Michigan so that AI mobility engineering students can broaden their perspectives through global experiences. Ajou University supported expenses for local education and dormitory. The Department of AI Mobility Engineering was expanded and reorganized into the Department of Future Mobility Engineering this year with the increased subsidy from the Ministry of Education as a high-tech field department. The Department of Future Mobility Engineering organizes a systematic and advanced curriculum to produce professional manpower who can respond three-dimensionally and actively in the field of future mobility. Self-driving and electric vehicles space and communication artificial intelligence and intelligent robots are all included in the software knowledge that is being applied to the future mobility industry. Ajou University's AI Mobility Engineering Students Touring Advanced Research Facilities at the University of Michigan Students Exploring IPG Automotive USA Enterprise Site of Self-Driving Simulator Developer Visiting 'M-city', a mobility test site

Ajou University hosted ‘The 2nd Ajou Biology Seminar’ inviting Prof. Kim Deok-ho of Johns Hopkins University

Our school held the 2nd ‘Ajou Biology Seminar’. It is a place to invite promising overseas researchers in the field of advanced bio to share the latest research trends and achievements. The seminar, which was held at Ajou University's Hyegang Hall on the 5th, was attended by researchers from related fields, including Choi Ki-joo, president of Ajou University. Kim Jae-ho, head of the Ajou Brain Promotion Project, Kim Yong-sung, dean of the Advanced Bio Convergence College, and Kim Chul-ho, head of the Advanced Medical Research Institute at Ajou University Medical Center. Professor Kim Deok-ho, director of the Hopkins Center for Microphysiological Systems at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was invited as a lecturer at the 2nd Ajou Bio Seminar (Ajou Innovations, ABS. ai). Professor Kim is a world-renowned expert in the field of biomimetic systems and also serves as the president of the Korean-American Institute of Technology. In this lecture, Professor Kim Deok-ho introduced the research results of advanced bio fields that have been devoted for the past 25 years, including disease modeling, new drug development, and space bio research using biochip-based microbiological systems (MPS). In particular, Professor Kim focused on cardiac tissue simulation technology using MPS, disease modeling, and drug development cases. In addition, he introduced a heart organoid made of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to MPS and a study on the impact of space environment on human body at the International Space Station (ISS) with NASA. After the lecture, questions and discussions continued. "This seminar served as an opportunity to catch up international-level research trends and strengthen global research cooperation between domestic and foreign researchers," said Kim Yong-sung, dean of Ajou University's Advanced Bio Convergence College. "We will continue to increase research competitiveness in the high-tech bio field through continuous academic exchanges." The event was co-hosted by the Ajou Brain Promotion Project Group, Advanced Bio Convergence College, Ajou University Medical Center Advanced Medical Research Institute, and the 4-step BK21 Chem Biomedicine Education Research Group. The Ajou Bio Seminar (Ajou Innovations, ABS. ai) was first held in November 2023 to share the latest research trends and results in the medical and bio fields. The seminar was organized by several researchers from Ajou University, including medical schools, to promote convergence research through close exchanges. Prof. Deok-ho Kim of Johns Hopkins University introducing the research results of advanced bio fields Researchers and Graduate Students taking Lecture

Ajou University GSIS-‘Graduation Ceremony for Class of 2024’ Produced 51 Graduates from 16 Countries

Ajou University's Graduate School of International Studies(GSIS)' "2024 Summer Commencement " was held in the auditorium of Yulgok Hall on the 19th. The Graduate School of International Studies has produced 51 graduates from four departments including the Department of International Management. The graduates are from 16 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Singapore, and Nigeria. By department, there were Department of International Management (19), Department of International Trade (10), Department of Civil Society (3) and Department of International Development Cooperation (19). Starting with the report on degree conferment, the ceremony was held in the order of Congratulatory Message from Jang Byung-yoon, president of the International Graduate School, Congratulatory Speech from the Nigerian deputy ambassador, Award of the degree handing out awards Valedictory Speech of the graduate representative. The heads of departments of the International Graduate School and officials from the embassies of Nigeria, Nepal and Bangladesh attended together to congratulate the graduates. "Love and change are the foundation and core of knowledge," said Jang Byung-yoon, president of the International Graduate School of our school, in a congratulatory speech. And he add "I hope all of you will love yourself and be the main players in changing your life, future, and community based on your power." Ferdinand Onwuamaeze Nwonye, Nigeria's deputy ambassador congratulated and encouraged the graduates. The graduate’s speech was conducted by Tully Rimu Islam (Bangladesh), a student who won the Presidential Award. "I thank everyone who helped me and my colleagues during the two years I spent at Ajou University, and I wish them all success and a happy life." said Tully Rimu Islam. The list of recipients of the Post-2024 International Graduate Degree Ceremony is as follows. ◆ Presidential Award TULY RIMU ISLAM, Department of International Development Cooperation (Bangladesh) ◆ Dean’s Awards ABDIKULOVA MERUYERT, International Business Administration Department (Kazakhstan) UMRZOKOV JAVLON ABDUGANI UGLI, Department of International Trade(Uzbekistan) TAMANG NIRU KUMARI, Department of Civil Sociology (Nepal) ◆ Excellent Thesis Awards GOODING MCKENZIE ANTONETTE, Department of International Development Cooperation (Barbados) MESIOTSO ENITON FAFA, Department of International Trade(Ghana)

‘2024 AISS(Ajou Internatinal Summer School)’ Turned Out Successfully

The "2024 Ajou International Summer School" has been completed with 50 and more students from 10 countries. Students from Uzbekistan's Ajou University in Tashkent (AUT) also participated. The completion ceremony of the International Summer School was held at the Yulgok Hall Innovation Lounge on the 24th. "Ajou International Summer School" is a program that short-term exchange students who visit our school for summer vacation participate in Korean language education and Korean cultural experiences. The four-week long program, which was held from July 2 to July 24, attracted 52 foreign students from 10 countries in the United States, Germany, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, France, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand. Among the participants, 30 students are from Uzbekistan's Ajou University in Tashkent (AUT). The completion ceremony was attended by 52 graduates, Kim Kyung-rae, Vice-Chancellor of the Office of Academic Affairs, Lee Seok-won, Director of the Office of International Affairs, and AISS Buddy. AISS Buddy is a support group made up of Ajou University students, and 13 undergraduate students supported AISS program along. Ajou International Summer School (AISS) started as a short-term exchange program in 2000 and operated 17 times until 2016, with a total of 1,000 foreign students participated. The program was suspended for the next three years and then resumed in 2020 when the international winter school was implemented through online in the COVID-19 era. Students who participated in this summer school stayed at Ajou University and took Sustainability Data Analysis and Business Decision-Making Macroeconomics Development Korean Language. Students who complete this course will get six credits. In addition, participants experienced various activities such as making Korean traditional food, Korean royal refreshments, K-pop dance classes, and calligraphy classes. They also visited domestic companies and various tourist spots such as the Samsung Innovation Museum, Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, Suwon World Cup Stadium, and Taean Manripo Beach to broaden understanding of Korean culture. Vice-President Kim Kyung-rae said in a congratulatory speech, "I am grateful that various students from various countries gathered and got along well in an unfamiliar environment," adding, "I believe they have grown a lot through this program, and I hope the memories made in Ajou will last a lifetime." Meanwhile, 30 students from Uzbekistan's Ajou University in Tashkent (AUT) participated in the Ajou International Summer School this year as last summer. Uzbekistan's Ajou University in Tashkent (AUT) opened in February 2021. AUT is in a form that combines Ajou University's education system and know-how with hardware, such as sites and buildings provided by the Uzbek government. Currently, AUT has a bachelor's degree program such as Civil Systems Engineering Architecture Electrical and Computer Engineering and IT-Business Department Korean Language & Philology Department English Philology Department. Suwon Hwaseong Haenggung Palace Visit Samsung Innovation Museum Visit Students taking a lecture