Handong Global University (HGU) President Dr. Soon- Heung Chang will address the John Brown University’s student body on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Ozarks. Last February, JBU and HGU signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to open study abroad programs, research collaboration, and faculty and staff exchanges.
“We are honored to have Dr. Chang speak to our students from a different global perspective on the importance of Christian higher education,” Dr. Chip Pollard said. “HGU’s mission aligns with JBU’s, and our partnership provides students, faculty and staff from both institutions with resources to grow academically and spiritually. We are grateful for the work already done and look forward to future plans between both institutions.”
Within the year of signing the MOU, JBU finalized terms of partnership and program specifics. This spring, two students from each institution, HGU students Yeongin Lee and Hyeong-Keun Jo and JBU students Lauren Wilson and Lydia Kim, will participate in the student exchange program that allows students to live on campus and study at the other institution with a seamless transfer of credits.
“I am super-excited to be studying abroad at HGU this semester,” Lydia Kim, junior biology major, said. “I’m grateful to JBU for paving the way for me to learn from professionals in a different country while still gaining a quality education. A study abroad program is every student’s dream, and I’m excited for this journey of experiencing a new perspective of the world.”
Ted Song, JBU assistant professor of engineering, and Steve Beers, vice president for student development, travelled to HGU in October 2016 as Song met with faculty, staff and students to discuss the exchange program and Beers spoke in chapel and held faculty workshops.
“HGU has been making an incredible impact all over the world as one of the leading Christian institutions in Asia,” said Song. “With this partnership, we hope to build a bridge between these two nations that have historically been great partners in serving God.”
In the fall of 2017, Dr. Jacob Stratman, JBU’s associate professor in English, will serve his yearlong sabbatical at HGU, teaching writing and literature.
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. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2017), JBU enrolls more than 2,700 students from 40 states and 37 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, degree completion and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 39 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.