No. 156 / Mar 7, 2022
Choi Ki-joo, a professor in The Department of Transportation System Engineering, recently took office as the 17th president of Ajou University. In his inauguration speech, President Choi Ki-joo said, “As a transportation expert who has paved roads, railroads, sky roads, and sea routes all his life, I would like to spend the rest of my term for Ajou University’s 50 years of history”. As for professional experience, he has worked as a senior researcher in the Department of Urban Transportation Research at Seoul Institute since 1992, and as a professor in the Department of Transportation System Engineering at Ajou University since 1994. Given his expertise, President Choi Ki-joo has actively participated in advisory activities for various institutions and local governments while also engaging in education and research. He is expected to serve as president for the four-year term lasting from February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2026. The Ajou Globe (The AG) sought to learn more about President Choi Ki-joo by arranging an interview.
Q. What do you think Ajou University specializes in compared to other universities?
A. Ajou University’s founding ideology is human respect, practicality, and the world’s family; and I think the specialized part coexists with one campus, with the harmony and specialties of Dasan University and Humanities/Social University. Therefore, convergence becomes easier, and practical academic achievements can create synergy. In terms of education, we started the Paran Semester System, which has created a spirit of passionate challenge in the university district, as well as the Paran Semester-EXTREME for solving social problems, and are building infrastructures such as MOOCs, where you can take lectures from global universities in your hands. For a more prominent specialty of Ajou University, I would like to inherit the traditions and achievements established by Ajou University members thus far while finding the advantages and potentials that we hold, but have not yet discovered.
Q. The former president communicated with students through the President’s Book Club and President’s Tea Time. How do you plan to communicate with students?
A. I think all of the book clubs and tea times hosted by the former president were good programs for communicating with students. Recently, I saw a student inquiring about a communication program with other students on the school website, “Wishful Writing for School”. I was proud that students were interested in communicating with the president. The door to the president’s office is always open. Students who need to communicate with the president should always let us know, through existing and new windows. We are planning a program that will allow students to meet regularly.
Q. There are plans to establish new departments for Artificial Intelligence (AI) mobility, semiconductors, and new high-tech materials. How do you think the establishment of these departments will affect Ajou University?
A. Currently, universities are facing a decline in the school-age population and a financial crisis due to population cliffs. I think the establishment or change toward high-tech departments will inevitably be promoted by each university, including Ajou University. Various learning opportunities will be provided to students, and the development strategies and specializations of universities based on strengthening high-tech fields will help us attract large-scale national treasury projects. Eventually, this will secure additional funds for Ajou University, which will again be of great help in building infrastructure, including education and research at the school. Therefore, in the fields of employment and start-ups, there seems to be a valuable attempt to provide our graduates with opportunities to work in high-tech fields.
Q. What is your vision and direction for development while serving as president in the future?
A. Along with the founding ideology, we will open the future with the intelligence to actively inherit and cooperate with the traditions and achievements established by Ajou University members. Convergence, connection, innovation, and culture are required to successfully connect the past, present, and future. The first thing that Ajou needs is “convergence and connection”. The present and future are already era of convergence, and I don’t think anything can be discussed without “convergence and connection,” which breaks down boundaries in university development according to this social trend. We will foster Ajou-type convergence talents not only through expertise in majors, but also through common sense and inclusion in other fields, creativity, honesty, globality, and communication skills with others; and, to this end, we will establish a convergence education program as a science education. The second thing that Ajou needs is “innovation”.I will work hard to create a foundation for future education systems that can proactively respond to changes in the future education paradigm. In addition, we will open a new department that can lead the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The last thing we need for Ajou is “culture”. A culture among members should come to mind when we think of Ajou. Ajou University’s human respect ideology aims for a culture one values the self and cares for others. We will provide education and practice to enhance Ajou University’s academic convergence cultural capabilities through academic convergence between humanities/social sciences and engineering/media/digital software cultivating cultural literacy among students.
Q. What types of talent do you want as the president of Ajou University?
A. I hope that Ajou university students will try to dream big and make their imagination a reality. Our Ajou students, dream bigger and act bigger. You have the potential to change the world. It’s time to think of a bigger ideal and world than “me and us.” Ajou University will give you the courage to put your creative thoughts and imagination into action. I’ll provide you with education. The president and faculty will do the best to make college life a wonderful and beautiful memory. It is the duty of the Ajou University professor and staff to students, who are customers. A wonderful day will surely be waiting for you.
Yu Woo-sang, AG Reporter
tom6070@ajou.ac.kr
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