Sungkyunkwan University

Our morning began at SKKU's traditional brick main gate, where we gathered before making our way across campus to the Engineering Building. Surrounded by tree-lined paths and historic architecture, it was a fitting introduction to a university whose roots stretch back more than six centuries.

Inside, the mood shifted from old to new in a single step: a bright glass lobby, bold 3D "SKKU" letters, and a screen that read "City University of Hong Kong - Welcome to SKKU." Seeing our own university named on arrival made the whole visit suddenly feel official, and very warm.

Settling into a seminar room at the College of Computing and Informatics, we were welcomed by Professor Kyuhong Shim and Professor Jongwuk Lee, who introduced us to SKKU's academic and research environment. The session began with an overview of the university, its history, and its vision for advancing computing education and research in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Our hosts then presented SKKU’s computing and advanced software programmes, highlighting the university’s interdisciplinary approach that combines artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, and intelligent systems. They also shared insights into ongoing research activities within the college, offering us a glimpse into how cutting-edge technologies are being developed and applied to real-world challenges.

They emphasized SKKU's exceptionally strong enterprise partnerships, especially its deep collaboration with industry leaders such as Samsung, and its mission to nurture world-class technology talent. Through examples of current projects and research initiatives, we gained a better understanding of how SKKU connects academic research with industry needs and innovation. The discussion provided valuable perspectives on both the technical and practical dimensions of modern computing research.

Exchanging Souvenirs

A small ceremony of thanks

No academic visit is complete without a moment of appreciation, and ours was a particularly warm one - a simple gesture that reflected the gratitude and goodwill shared between both institutions.

From the seminar room, we moved outside where a host gave a brief introduction under a building portico before guiding us onward. The main campus of Sungkyunkwan University is notably green and spacious, and we walked through its distinct, colour-coded buildings — the blue-tiled Second Science Hall, the green-tiled Basic Studies Hall, the brick Second Engineering Hall framed by trees, and the striking Biotechnology building with its yellow brick and circular cut-outs.

Crossing the leafy campus past the residence halls, we eventually reached the wide central plaza. Pausing there beside the open lawn, it was easy to imagine what it would be like to study in such an environment.

The library stopped us in our tracks. Step inside and the ceiling simply lifts away — a soaring atrium with cantilevered white reading pods stacked floor over floor, like drawers half-pulled from a cabinet, daylight pouring down from above.

We stood there a while, necks craned, quietly agreeing it was the most striking study space any of us had seen.

We'd reached it through the building's bright, glass-walled corridors — past the Department of Intelligent Software, the soaring Global Innovation Park atrium, and a screen still glowing its welcome.

All too soon it was time to head back. We retraced our steps down the long ginkgo-lined avenue toward the exit, the morning light still soft through the leaves, and paused once more at the brick gate where the morning had started.

Overall, our visit to Sungkyunkwan University was an inspiring and enlightening experience. We gained valuable insights into the university's cutting-edge research and its strong commitment to fostering innovation and industry collaboration. The warm hospitality of our hosts and the opportunity to engage with leading researchers left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of global academic partnerships in advancing technology and education.