Rutgers University’s Strategic Engagement with South Korea: A Growing Global Partnership

As part of Rutgers University’s growing Korea–US engagement strategy in the biomedical and health sciences, Rutgers Global and Rutgers Health will co-host a Symposium on Korea–US R&D Collaborations and Funding Opportunities on Thursday, June 19, at Richard Weeks Hall on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus. Learn more about the event and register here.

This symposium is the culmination of several collaborative events between Rutgers and K-BioX, a global bio-health innovation platform that connects Korean and international institutions to advance research partnerships. The event aims to convene key stakeholders from government, academia, and industry in the biomedical and bio-health sectors to cultivate international R&D partnerships and promote talent mobility. It will also highlight Rutgers’ research strengths and explore new funding and partnership opportunities.

Rutgers Office for Research will be represented by executive director of Technology Transfer Deborah Perez Fernandez, PhD, MBA, and executive director of New Ventures Vince Smeraglia, JD. They will discuss the practice of tech transfer within a higher ed research institution and share the many ways in which the Office for Research supports Rutgers faculty on their entrepreneurial and commercialization journeys.

“This symposium is a powerful testament to the momentum we’re cultivating between Rutgers Health and our Korean partners in biomedical innovation," said Najwa Borkadi, executive director of Research Business Development at Rutgers Health, co-organizer of the event. “We’re forging an ecosystem where world-class research is translated into real-world health solutions.”

Ji-Yeung Jang, assistant vice president for Global Affairs at Rutgers, and lead for the university’s engagement in South Korea, noted that the symposium represents the deepening collaborations that have developed over the past two years. “Rutgers University has intentionally focused on its engagement with South Korea over the past two years, building strong institutional partnerships, fostering academic collaboration, and expanding awareness in this vital global region. This strategic effort reflects Rutgers' commitment to research innovation and global impact.”

Rutgers and South Korea: A Timeline of Engagement

The institutional partnership journey began in July 2023, with visits to prominent Korean universities such as Seoul National University (SNU) and Korea University (KU), among others. Through engaging meetings and conversations, Dr. Jang helped to lay the groundwork for more intentional collaboration and partnership strategy.

By the fall 2023, Rutgers’ visibility in Korea was further elevated by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s visit, culminating with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SNU. This agreement broadened the partnership beyond student mobility, introducing new areas of focus such as the SNU Siheung Campus and the College of Pharmacy.

In January 2024, South Korea was officially designated as one of Rutgers’ Global Sites, affirming the strategic importance of the region. This was followed by an ambitious visit in May 2024, which included 23 meetings and site visits in just 8 days—a testament to the breadth and depth of Rutgers’ outreach. The trip helped solidify a focus on biomedical, health, and life sciences as key pillars of Rutgers’ engagement in South Korea.

The October 2024 Rutgers delegation to South Korea marked a significant step in deepening ties with the country, resulting in the signing of MOUs with CHA University, Ajou University/Korea Bio Research Association, Sungkyunkwan University, and Korea University. The trip also featured several milestone events: the inaugural Rutgers Partnership Day, a Pharmacy symposium, and participation in the K-BioX Summit—an essential forum for Korea-US bio-innovation exchange. This is the event that has led to the Symposium hosted by Rutgers Health and Rutgers Global this month.

In April 2025, delegations from Korea University and CHA University visited Rutgers, reaffirming their commitment to research collaborations and talent development. The following month, representatives from Rutgers Health and Rutgers Global participated in the K-BioX Summit, further exploring partnership opportunities with key stakeholders in South Korea’s biomedical and health sectors. As a result of the visit, several Rutgers faculty members were able to submit joint research grant applications with Korean partners to the Korean government.  

Next Steps and the Future of Collaborations

In the coming months, SNU Pharmacy will return to Rutgers for a second joint symposium with the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. Additionally, faculty and students from the Rutgers School of Engineering, the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, and the School of Public Health will participate in the Climate Corps Program at Korea University. And in the fall, doctoral students from SNU will join the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rutgers for short-term research training.

Dr. Jang reflected that Rutgers’ recent Korea engagement strategy has underscored several important insights. “Experience has taught us that faculty expertise is at the heart of building authentic, lasting relationships. It is absolutely crucial,” she noted.” Success hinges on strong campus allies and internal coordination. We are deeply grateful for our campus partners and university leadership, who have been incredibly dedicated and supportive of these initiatives. Our staff at Rutgers Global have also played a vital role in advancing this work.”  She added: “Strategic integration—of people, places, programs, and priorities—is essential.”