Andrew Hamilton, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, received an honorary doctorate from Yonsei University on Thursday, the Korean school announced.

Yonsei University said that Hamilton received an honorary Ph.D. in science for his contribution in chemistry research, also recognizing his leading role at the top British school.

On Thursday, in his first visit to Yonsei University, Hamilton also delivered a special lecture under the title “Broad Horizons: How universities can survive and thrive in an interconnected world,” at the school’s main campus in Seoul.

“Hamilton’s visit to Yonsei will lay a foundation for future engagement, to build a mutual partnership between the two universities,” Yonsei University said in a statement.

Later on Thursday, Hamilton also participated in the British Council Korea’s public lecture series to deliver a speech at Hana High School in northern Seoul.

Professor Hamilton, who is an internationally distinguished chemist, was named vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford in October 2009. He is only the second vice-chancellor recruited externally from Oxford in its 800-year history.

Previously, he joined Yale in 1997 and was a Provost of Yale from 2004 until October 2008 where he combined a wide range of administrative duties with teaching and research.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)