On January 26, 2023, the Korea University (KU) Policy Institute and Innovation Support Project Operation Team held the 12th annual KU Innovation Forum in the Choi Jong-Hyun Hall of SK Future Hall from 2:00 P.M. to 5:10 P.M. Presentations from a total of 7 different universities from the Hongreung (Eastern) region of Seoul covered specific ways they implemented and are planning to realize the goal of cooperation between the institution of the university and the broader community.

Session 1 constituted of presentations discussing well-executed cases of this innovation such as the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) that pairs the university with local governments and international organizations to support sustainable growth. Session 2 consisted of exemplar cases of innovation within the university, such as a successful case of a student-planned extracurricular activity that aligns with values of integrative thinking and contribution to society.

The presenters all shared the sentiment for innovative change. “We need to strengthen our role as an active agent of regional innovation,” said Jung Jin-Taek, KU’s current president. “In an era when such sustainable development is important, universities, like ordinary companies, should take the lead in creating an education and research ecosystem to realize ESG [values.]”