- 139th Founding Anniversary Commemorative Speech 2024.05.16
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139th Founding Anniversary Commemorative Speech
May 11, 2024
President Dong-Sup Yoon
Dear Yonsei Family, today we have gathered here to celebrate the 139th anniversary of Yonsei University's founding. We extend our deepest gratitude to Honorable Chairman Hur Dong-Soo and Members of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Lee Kyoung Ryul, President of the Yonsei Alumni Association, and all our distinguished guests, as well as to our proud 400,000 Yonsei alumni nationwide and abroad, for honoring us with your gracious presence. We are truly grateful for your steadfast support and dedication. To our professors, staff, and teachers who work tirelessly, and to our students, we are delighted to celebrate this joyous occasion together.
In the spring of 1885, Jejungwon, its name meaning "Heal the Masses" as its mission, opened the first chapter of our illustrious Yonsei history. The force behind its inception was the dedication and love of missionaries such as Underwood, Appenzeller, and Allen.
Underwood, in his speech commemorating "Twenty years of missionary work in Korea," proclaimed, "We, if not here, from there shall see it all!" before his death, confident in Korea's ability to emerge as a new nation. And we have fulfilled his visionary prediction, overcoming many hardships and struggles to develop into the world's top 10 economic power.
What drove the remarkable growth of South Korea above all was education. And Yonsei University has always been at its heart. Grounded in Christian values and emphasizing truth and freedom, 'Yonsei education' has produced virtuous elites and capable citizens who have led the development of our nation. Yonsei alumni have stood tall as independence activists against Japanese colonial rule, industrial pioneers who made the Han River miracle possible, young leaders who drove democratization, entrepreneurs who pioneered the blue ocean, and key figures who transformed Korea into a global cultural powerhouse.
Esteemed Yonsei family,
Over the last century, we have achieved remarkable progress, but on the other hand, humanity is now grappling with the repercussions and diverse global challenges underlying that growth. The anticipated stability in international relations following the end of the Cold War has been disrupted by conflicts large and small, as well as civil wars. Emerging infectious diseases recur every five years, posing a threat to humanity, while severe climate change serves as a wake-up call. It is now imperative for us to collectively reflect on our journey thus far, reevaluate the trajectory of progress, and pool our wisdom to navigate through crises.
Recently, academia has taken up the challenge of convergence. I believe that at the heart of convergence is this: to collect wisdom together and to use that wisdom to reach out widely to people. Convergence should serve as the key to solidarity with even our unknown neighbors, to seek each other out extensively. To this end, Yonsei is committed to implement convergence on two fronts.
First is interdisciplinary convergence. Addressing climate change requires an understanding of both humans and the Earth, while navigating the era of digital transformation necessitates an understanding of humans, artificial intelligence, social culture, and business activities. Moreover, to successfully transition to renewable energy, understanding humans, energy sources, and economic activities is vital. This underscores the need for education and research that traverse disciplines related to the sky, land, and people, as I mentioned in my inauguration.
Allow me to present an excellent example of 'transcending the boundaries' of academia. There's a term called 'Apoptosis,' which refers to the death of cells, the fundamental unit of all life. The paper by Professor John Kerr and his colleagues, who introduced this term, is a renowned study, cited an impressive 24,000 times. What's intriguing is that 'apoptosis' isn't merely a dry scientific term.
One day, Professor Kerr discovers an intriguing phenomenon: cells commit suicide to save the organism. Amidst overwhelming joy, he is filled with contemplation. 'What should we name this phenomenon?' Professor Kerr shares his discovery and concerns with Professor James Cormack, a Greek scholar, whose suggestion leads to the birth of the philosophical and literary scientific term 'apoptosis.' Apoptosis (ἀπόπτωσις) is an ancient Greek word meaning "falling off," describing the shedding of leaves or petals. It also serves as a metaphor for human life, its fleeting existence, as found in Homer's Iliad. This graceful science term articulates the scientific understanding of how life works with a humanistic understating of how life is lived, a marriage made possible when scientists and humanists are in dialogue.
The philosophy of interdisciplinary convergence research pursued by Yonsei aims to enrich and enhance humanity's intellectual heritage, while collectively addressing humanity's challenges. Going forward, Yonsei University seeks to accelerate interdisciplinary convergence research, integrating humanistic and social science insights with scientific diagnostics and engineering solutions to address common issues in human society. While honoring the expertise and distinctiveness of individual disciplines, Yonsei will strengthen fusion education, gathering wisdom to proactively respond and adapt to the era of transformation.
The second key aspect of convergence pursued by Yonsei is the establishment of a global convergence network. The many international students who choose Yonsei University contribute significantly to enhancing our global diversity and capacity for interpersonal convergence. Yonsei University has been continuously strengthening cooperation, not only in attracting international students but also with international organizations and global educational institutions. As part of these efforts, on March 13th 2024, we inaugurated the Institute for African Studies. The African continent is a pivotal region within the rapidly emerging "Global South." Strengthening relations with developing countries in Africa will be a crucial step forward for Yonsei in expanding the horizons of global convergence.
Furthermore, Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF), hosted annually by Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment at Yonsei University, will contribute to broadening the agenda and scope of participation. Through such efforts, Yonsei University will establish a global convergence network through diverse international exchange collaborations to advance Yonsei's vision for humanity, including the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dear Yonsei family,
Yonsei University, born from the dedication and contributions of missionaries, has now grown into a world-renowned university. We are grateful for this growth and aspire to embrace the spirit of solidarity and convergence embodied in its inception as Yonsei’s new mission for the coming era. It will serve as a beacon for Yonsei's interdisciplinary convergence and global network formation to tackle global challenges, paving the way for us to reach out to people far and wide.
As we celebrate our 139th anniversary, we express gratitude to the pioneers who, inspired by God's love and calling, forged the path of Yonsei's history. Yonsei will fulfill our mission of connecting and leading the world.
To all the esteemed guests and members of the Yonsei family who have graced this significant occasion today, we extend our heartfelt respect and gratitude once more. May God's love and grace overflow in your lives and in the future of our Yonsei.
May 11, 2024
President of Yonsei University
Dong-Sup Yoon
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