숙명여자대학교(영문)

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The Korea Times Sookmyung Women's University embraces K-culture, diversity for global growth

A Global Leader of Women's Education, Sookmyung is Where Changes Begin!

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Sookmyung Pharmaceutical Research Institute Selected for the Ministry of Education’s “Glocal Lab”

Sookmyung Pharmaceutical Research Institute has been selected for the Ministry of Education’s “Glocal Lab” program and will receive a total of 13.5 billion KRW (approx. 970 million USD) in funding over the next nine years to develop next-generation anti-aging therapies. Partnering with domestic biotech companies, hospitals, and leading international scholars, the institute aims to address the pressing challenge of “healthy aging” in a super-aged society and to grow into a world-class research hub. The Glocal Lab initiative fosters university research institutes as regional research hubs, supporting the creation of cutting-edge basic research outcomes while strengthening international collaboration. Sookmyung Pharmaceutical Research Institute was selected as one of the hub-type projects, which include five from the Seoul metropolitan area and six from regional universities. As part of this project, the institute will collaborate for a full-scale research into anti-aging treatments with biotech companies (BasgenBio, Symyoo, CGBio), hospitals (Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, and Boramae Hospital), and international universities (Princeton University, University of Massachusetts (U.S.), and Ghent University (Belgium)). The research team notes that although Korea’s average life expectancy has steadily risen to 83.5 years, the average healthy life expectancy is only 65.9 years, leaving a 17.6-year gap during which many live with illness. Having officially entered a “super-aged society” this year—where more than 20% of the population is over 65—Korea now faces growing challenges such as declining productivity and rising social costs from aging. To pursue “healthy aging” free from diseases such as cancer, stroke, and osteoporosis, the team will first identify the “aging checkpoints” that hold the key to therapy. They will then apply an innovative approach that combines AI-driven big data analysis to discover therapeutic targets. This project brings together the institute’s expertise in senescent cell analysis, drug synthesis, nano-carrier development, and cancer therapy with Basgenbio’s AI-based big data capabilities. The research team includes Institute Director Prof. Jang Chang-young alongside Prof. Song Yun-seon, Yim Mi-jung, Shin Min-wook, Kim Do-hee, Kim Se-geon, Byun Jun-jo, Kim Hyung-sup, and Kim Ju-mee. Globally renowned scholars will also participate, including Prof. David MacMillan of Princeton University (2021 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry), Prof. Stefaan De Smedt of Ghent University (Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Controlled Release), and Prof. Jonathan Watts of UMass (a leading authority on RNA therapeutics). The Horae Gene Therapy Center at UMass, where Prof. Watts is based, signed an MOU with the institute in 2022 and has been internationally recognized, including producing the 2024 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. The institute has already accelerated its anti-aging research by signing agreements this year with biotech partners: BasgenBio (AI-based big data analytics, Mapo, Seoul), Symyoo (a CRO, Yongsan, Seoul), and CGBio (specialized in bone regeneration, Yongsan, Seoul). Building on its selection for the Glocal Lab, the institute now plans to establish a “Healthy Aging Han River Belt” centered in Yongsan in partnership with Yongsan District Office, the Korean Senior Citizens Association, and other stakeholders. Institute Director Prof. Jang Chang-young (College of Medicine) commented, “The Glocal Lab serves as a launch point for completing new drug development within the Han River Belt—from BasgenBio’s AI-powered target discovery, to the institute’s mechanism studies, to Symyoo’s clinical trials, and finally to CG Bio’s productization. The institute will work together with domestic and international researchers to tackle aging-related challenges while also contributing to the local community.”

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There are many opportunities to experience Korean traditional culture both on and off campus through lectures and field trips.

Academic Calendar

September22

Course withdrawal (4 weeks after the semester begins)

2025-09-22 ~ 2025-09-28

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[SMU] Sookmyung × Harvard Global Program✈

International Student at Sookmyung🌎KUBOTA SAKURA from Japan

International Student at Sookmyung🌎MA FURONG from China

International Student at Sookmyung🌎 Kseniia from Russia

International Student at Sookmyung🌎 NHUNG from Vietnam

International Student at Sookmyung🌎Angieca from Indonesia

Year of Foundation

1906
No. of Enrolled Students (As of April 2025)

12519
No. of Full-time Faculty (As of April 2025)

419
Campus Area (㎡)

68334
Exchange status with Overseas Universities
(As of April 2025)

402 Schools in 59 Countries
Scholarship per Person
(Million Won)

353

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