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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) Dean Cem Karacal, PhD, welcomed a contingent from Tongmyong University (TU) of Busan, South Korea on Monday, Dec. 4, the first of the group’s three-day visit to the SIUE campus. Among the Korean visitors was TU’s School of Engineering Dean Kim Jung-In. 

Karacal stressed the value of the growing and important partnership between the two schools. This week’s trip was the fourth trip for TU visitors to SIUE. A partnership between the institutions began in 2014, when a formal agreement was made to offer a 2+2 dual diploma program between TU and the SIUE School of Engineering. 

“I hope you will enjoy your time here on our campus,” said Karacal, through translator Soondo Kweon, PhD, SOE associate professor. “Please interact with SIUE School of Engineering students. They are all pursuing degrees in engineering fields, so there is that common interest that will bind you together.” 

“I hope to see some TU students come and study with us,” Karacal continued. “I hear nothing but good things about TU, the faculty members and students. I hope we can strengthen this partnership in the future and have more student exchanges.” 

“The partnership between SIUE and TU impacts both universities in many positive ways,” added Kweon. “SIUE students visit TU to take a faculty-led study abroad course in summer. They have a true immersion experience in another culture for two weeks by living and studying together. This study abroad course, through the partnership with TU, provides SIUE students with precious global experiences.” 

During the question and answer portion, one TU female student wanted to know a point of pride for the SIUE and the SOE. 

“SIUE is student-centered. We care about the learning and well-being of our students,” Karacal answered. “The School of Engineering has a lot of opportunities for hands-on learning that make our students stand out to local companies.”  

“We are the largest engineering school in the Metro St. Louis area,” he said. “The School of Engineering also has the most international students on our campus. They bring such opportunities for cultural exchange for our students.” 

Later that day, several TU students presented projects during the final presentation class of H. Felix Lee, PhD, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. 

Jung Hyunkyoung, Hon Song Pil and Yoon Hae Seong gave their presentation, “Expanding Expandable Life Jacket.” 

“Exchange of senior design teams provides students at both schools with different ways of learning,” said Kweon. “Students have the opportunity to learn about different design methodologies and cultures, new technologies and more. The visiting TU students benefit as well by listening to design presentations of SIUE students, which provide completely different viewpoints about the design process and makes them better understand the design methods, culture and technologies in the U.S.”  

Photos:
(L-R) Visiting from Tongmyong University (TU) of Busan, South Korea: Kee Joo Kim, PhD, professor in the Department of Mechatronics Engineering and head of the Center of CK-1 Mechanics Plant Office; Kim Hong, PhD, general manager, Head Office for Government Funds Administration Team Leader, CK Administration Team; Cem Karacal, PhD, SIUE School of Engineering dean; Soondo Kweon, PhD, SOE assistant professor; Kim Jung-In, PhD, TU School of Engineering dean and professor in the Department of Computer Engineering; and Soo-Lyong Lee, PhD, professor in the College of Engineering, School of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering. 

Students from Dongmyoung University, were part of the delegation from TU. Presenting their engineering project in Dr. H. Felix Lee’s SIUE Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering class were (left to right): Yoon Hae Seong, Han Sang Pil and Jung Hyunkyoung.