​HSD is on a mission to expand its academic ties with like-minded partners in East Asia. Following the delegation visit to Japan as part of the newly launched HSD-Japan Gateway Project, the Vice-President for Student, Academic and International Affairs, Thomas Molck – accompanied by his Executive Officer, Diana Schnelle, and the Head of the International Office, Monika Katz – extended the business trip to East Asia in March 2026 to include visits to partner universities in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The timing proved especially fortunate, allowing the Vice-President to deliver in-person congratulations on the 140th anniversary of Ehwa Women’s University, one of HSD’s longstanding partner universities in the region. 

Since the rise of the Korean Wave in the early 2010s sparked by PSY’s global hit “Gangnam Style”, interest in South Korea among students in Germany has grown steadily, particularly as a destination for studying abroad. At the same time, Germany and the Republic of Korea have developed closer ties as partners with shared perspectives in foreign policy and economic cooperation. Against this background, HSD remains committed to nurturing its Korean partnerships and reinforcing mutually beneficial relationships at the forefront of teaching and research. The delegation visited a total of four Universities in Seoul and Daegu, candidly discussing the current state of the respective cooperations as well as ideas for future development. Key topics included expanding exchange programs to additional departments and increasing student mobility opportunities. These proposals were met with great enthusiasm, and follow-up discussions on updated cooperation frameworks are already underway, coordinated by the respective international offices.

The visit also gave new momentum to the emerging partnership with Chung-Ang University, widely recognized for its excellence in the arts and media. A particular highlight of the delegation visit was the invitation to attend the opening of the Gyeonggi Center for Photography in Suwon, a new institution dedicated to exhibitions, education, research, and international exchange in the field of photography. As a key contributor to the center, Chung-Ang University brings significant expertise in photography education and research. HSD looks forward to deepening collaboration with this new partner in the creative disciplines, beginning with the department of photography.

Looking ahead, HSD will continue to build on the momentum generated by the visit and deepen its engagement with partner institutions in Asia in general and South Korea in particular. By expanding opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and joint research, the university aims to further strengthen its international profile in a dynamic and strategically important region. These efforts reflect HSD’s ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful global partnerships that benefit students, faculty, and the broader HSD community.