The Incheon Free Economic Zone, already established as an international business hub, is seeking to become the center of education in East Asia.

Reflecting this initiative, noted educational institutions including U.S.-based George Mason University, the University of Utah, the State University of New York and Belgium’s Ghent University have opened Asian branches at the Songdo Global Campus of Incheon, embracing the open and liberal yet academic atmosphere of the campus.

These schools have brought with them different academic departments and combined them to form top-notch educational institutions here, Incheon officials said. For instance, the University of Utah has established a humanities department while the Belgians have established bioscience-related units. Ghent has also forged pacts with domestic corporations including Samsung, Celltrion and Berna Biotech Korea for future cooperation. 

“With the four global schools, we can truly say that Incheon has become an international hub for higher education,” said Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok at the opening ceremony for Ghent University and the University of Utah at the campus on Sept. 1. He pledged full governmental support for the schools and their students.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to access the schools’ internationally recognized curriculums. We will provide the best-quality education out there, and provide support for Korean and other Asian students for their advancement into the global scene,” said David Pershing, president of the University of Utah.

And there is more to come.

In August, the Seoul government said it would bring in three more foreign schools ― specializing in fashion, hotel management and music ― by 2017 to help diversify Incheon’s educational portfolio.

As incentives, the government will offer subsidies of up to 40 billion won ($38.3 million) to schools with good curriculums and strong reputations over the next five years, while visa regulations for foreign students with engineering backgrounds will be eased to attract competitive talent.

Foreign schools can also participate in the bidding for state-driven projects, while noted scholars from around the world will be invited to experience the Songdo campus and find inspiration for their future studies.

By Bae Ji-sook and Lee Hong-seok
(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)