SMWU and UBC Explore Academic Exchange Rooted in Women's Empowerment and Global Education
- Views 92
- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2026-07-27
Sookmyung Women's University is moving forward with plans to establish a student exchange program with the University of British Columbia (UBC), one of Canada's leading universities.
President Si-yeon Moon visited UBC in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday, July 24, where she met with UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon to discuss a prospective agreement on student exchange. The two university leaders agreed to move forward with the partnership and to continue discussions on the details of its implementation.
(From left) UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Canadian Senator Yonah Martin, and SMWU President Si-yeon Moon.
During the meeting, President Moon introduced the research capabilities of the Women's Health Research Institute and the Asian Women's Institute, along with Sookmyung's STEM programs tailored for female students and the Korean language and culture programs offered by the Hallyu International College. UBC officials expressed strong interest in facilitating exchange opportunities for students interested in Korean popular culture, as well as potential collaboration linked to women-focused STEM education programs.
The meeting also included Senator Yonah Martin, Canada's only Korean-Canadian senator and chair of the World Korean Political Leaders' Assembly, who emphasized the importance of educational and cultural exchange between Korea and Canada.
UBC, home to approximately 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students, maintains a highly international academic environment, with international students making up 27 percent of its total enrollment. The university ranked 45th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, earning particularly strong marks in Social Sciences and Management (18th), Natural Sciences (22nd), and Engineering (29th). Once the agreement is formally signed, UBC will become the highest-ranked partner university in Sookmyung's global network, according to the QS World University Rankings.
President Moon and the visiting delegation lay a wreath at the 13th Annual Canadian Korean War Veterans Day ceremony.
The following morning, on Saturday, July 25, President Moon attended the 13th Annual Canadian Korean War Veterans Day ceremony, hosted by Senator Martin. Representing SMWU, she laid a wreath in tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of Canadian veterans of the Korean War, and met with the Republic of Korea's Deputy Consul General in Vancouver, representatives of the local Korean community, and officials from the government of British Columbia.
In the afternoon, President Moon met with about 30 alumnae at a reception hosted by the SMWU Vancouver Alumnae Chapter, led by Chapter President Yu-mi Kim (Food and Nutrition '83). Among those in attendance was the chapter's most senior alumna, Yun-ja Choi (Pharmacy '63). The gathering marked President Moon's first visit to the Vancouver chapter since 2013 — 13 years ago — and was organized to share the significance of the university's 120th anniversary and its future development plans with alumnae abroad.
In her remarks, President Moon said, "The very presence of our alumnae overseas is proof of the global value and reach of a Sookmyung education." She added, "I am grateful for the tireless efforts and unwavering devotion of our alumnae abroad, who have helped build Sookmyung's 120-year history together with us." She extended special thanks to the Vancouver chapter, the only overseas alumnae chapter to participate in the "120th Anniversary Snowflake Bench Campaign."
During the event, Hyung-jin Lee, Dean of External Affairs & Communication, presented an overview of the university's major 120th anniversary events and its mid- to long-term development plans. President Moon and the alumnae then watched footage from the 120th anniversary concert and eve festival held this past May, further deepening their shared pride in Sookmyung.