President
About aSSIST
President
Greetings!
As the tenth President of the Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies
(aSSIST University),
I would like to welcome you all.
aSSIST University was founded in 2004 as the first-ever school in Korea that exclusively offers master’s and doctoral business administration programs. It is at the cutting edge of graduate business education in Korea and has grown steadily in every respect past two decades.
The school is particularly noted for its international collaborations. Students can earn dual degrees through the university’s partnerships with world-class institutions, including Aalto University in Finland; Franklin University Switzerland and Business School Lausanne, both in Switzerland; Birkbeck, University of London in the U.K.; and the State University of New York at Stony Brook in the U.S.
The recent launch of the Seoul AI School, aSSIST University is a testament to our commitment to AI talent development, as well as to our being the first mover in the face of challenges, embracing change and seizing new opportunities.
There is growing concern and talk that universities are on the brink of crisis. The so-called demographic cliff is often blamed for it. The population of traditional college-age students is indeed shrinking, but the rising life expectancy underscores the necessity and importance of education at all ages. Universities are also facing increasing criticism that their curricula increasingly fail to meet the needs of ever-evolving society. Yet, this issue can be addressed by meticulously tuning university programs to the demands of the times.
Being a pinnacle of educational excellence, aSSIST University is unrivaled in effectively addressing those two challenges. As a specialized institution for master’s and doctoral programs under the banner of lifelong education, the university effectively reads and responds to the times and features an outstanding array of faculty, students, staff, and programs calibrated to the demands of the evolving modern society. More specifically, the university has the following distinctive strengths:
First, aSSIST University offers lectures of unmatched caliber. Universities typically draw on their in-house faculty for teaching, but aSSIST University invites distinguished guest lecturers from home and abroad as the needs arise.
Second, students at aSSIST University are extremely motivated. With a seasoned wealth of real-world experience, our students know deep in their hearts why they need to pursue their studies with the greatest fervor. Their passion for learning is elevated even further by aSSIST University’s strong emphasis on thorough and comprehensive education.
Third, the staff at aSSIST University exemplify excellence in service. The staff members in charge of lecture support assist professors, communicate with students, and engage in post-lecture discussions to ensure the on-going improvement of lectures.
Fourth, aSSIST University emphasizes interdisciplinary convergence in its programs. Notably, AI, which is today’s big thing and is shaping a new future for all, is incorporated into all of our subjects to varying degrees. This enables us to provide in-depth programs that are marked by a rich academic convergence and adeptly meet the demands of the new era.
Confucius famously stated, “At 15 my heart was set on learning; at 30 I stood firm; at 40 I had no more doubts.” This wisdom resonated over 2,500 years ago, but it no longer holds true today. Nobody is expected to academically stand firm within 15 years, and at the age of 40, individuals grapple with life’s overwhelming complexities and uncertainties more often than not. We can never expect to reach a destination in our quest for knowledge even after 15 years of study; a journey of lifelong education is now a new life style for everybody. In this new educational landscape, aSSIST University has been, and will remain, the most exemplary pioneer and innovator.
Bio Information on Incumbent President
| Name | Hwy-chang Moon |
|---|---|
| Educational Background | B.A. in English from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies |
| Master’s program completed in the College of Business Administration at Seoul National University | |
| Ph. D. in Business Administration at the University of Washinton (international business and business strategy) | |
| Career Milestones | 10th President of aSSIST University (present) |
| Chair Professor at aSSIST University | |
| Chairman of the Institute for Policy & Strategy on National Competitiveness (IPSNC) | |
| Honorary Ambassador of Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea | |
| Consultant to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) | |
| Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University | |
| Former Dean, Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University | |
| Editor-in-Chief, Journal of International Business and Economy | |
| Lectures (as full-time or guest lecturer) | In Asia: Seoul National University, Keio University, Hitotsubashi University, and Beijing Normal University In Europe: Helsinki School of Economics (currently known as Aalto University) In the US: University of Washington, University of the Pacific, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and Standford University |
| Research Achievements & Awards | Authored many books with prestigious foreign publishers such as Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press; and published numerous papers in renowned international academic journals. Honored to receive the Seoul National University Academic Research Award. |
| Consulting & Research Reports | Provided consulting or drew up research reports for corporations (e.g., Samsung Electronics, KOTRA), international organizations (e.g., UNCTAD, the World Bank, APEC), national/local governments (South Korea, Malaysia, Dubai, Azerbaijan, Guangdong Province of China, and India), and universities (FUS Taylor Institute, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Ajou University, and Beijing Normal University) |
Former Presidents
-
TaeHyun Kim: 7th, 8th, and 9th President (June 2017 – May 2023)
- Career
Highlights -
Current engagements:
- Professor Emeritus, Yonsei University School of Business
- Member, Yonsei University Presidential Advisory Committee
- Member, Logistics Committee, Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Member, Fortune Korea Editorial Committee
- Member, Executive and Operational Committee, Sharing Together Society
- Director, Foundation of Korea Logistics Industry Promotion (KLIP)
Previous roles- Professor and Dean, Yonsei University School of Business
- Dean, Yonsei University Graduate School of Business
- Dean, Sangnam Institute of Management, Yonsei University
- Non-Executive Director, Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI)
- Member, National Logistics Policy Committee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
- Policy Advisor to the Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs
- President, Korea Production and Operations Management Society (KOPOMS)
- President, Korea Logistics Society
- President, Asia-Pacific Decision Science Institute (APDSI)
- Member, DongA Business Review (DBR) Editorial Advisory Board
- Outside Director, Korea Logistics Society
- Outside Director, Hyu ndai Department Store
- Director, Young Hoon School Foundation
- Career
-
Il-Sup Kim: 5th and 6th President (Dec. 2012 – Nov. 2016)
- Career
Highlights -
Current engagements:
- Chairperson, Financial Planning Standards Board Korea (FPSB Korea)
- Chairperson, Korea Financial Planner Association (KFPA)
Previous roles- Outside Director, POSCO
- Audit Committee Chair, POSCO
- Outside Director, Samchully Co., Ltd.
- Director, Korea Management Development Institute
- Chairperson, Yuhan School Foundation
- Chairperson, Deloitte Anjin LLC
- Outside Director & Audit Committee Chair, LG Electronics
- Outside Director & Audit Committee Chair, Shinhan Financial Group
- Professor & Executive Vice President, School of Business, Ewha Womans University
- Inaugural Chairperson, Korea Accounting Institute (KAI)
- Chairperson, Korea Accounting Standards Board (KASB)
- One of the Founders, Representative Director & Vice Chair, Samil Accounting Corporation (precursor of PwC Korea)
- Chairperson, Venture Leaders Club
- Chairperson, Korean Society of Public Enterprise
- Secretary & Member, Regulatory Reform Committee (RRC)
- Vice Chair, Korea Institute of Certified Public Accountants (KICPA)
- Director, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)
- Member, Financial Reform Committee
- Member, Globalization Promotion Committee
- Working Committee Member, Presidential Commission for Administrative Reform
- Secretary, Performance Review Group of the Government-Invested institutions
- Career
-
Nam Sik Lee: 4th President (Aug. 2011 – Nov. 2012)
- Career
Highlights -
Current engagements:
- Chairperson, Re-Founding Committee, Suwon University
- Co-Chair, Global Futures Studies Association
Previous roles- President, Kaywon School of Arts & Design
- President, Nam June Paik Cultural Foundation
- President, Techno-Humanities Atelier (atelier T*H)
- Director, Sindonga School Foundation
- Member, Presidential Council on Nation Branding
- President, Jeonju University (9th, 10th, and 11th)
- Chairperson, Korean Paper Technology Association
- Co-Chair, Regional Innovation Council of Jeonju-si City
- Chairperson, Ergonomics Society of Korea (ESK)
- Professor, Dean, & Vice President, International Design School for Advanced Studies (IDAS), Hongik University
- Professor & Dean, Hansung University Division of Industrial & Mechanical Systems Engineering
- Senior Researcher, Ergonomics Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Standard and Science (KRISS)
- Research Fellow, Biosciences, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
- Career
-
Late Hwa Soon Hong: Vice President Serving as Acting President (May 2010 – Aug. 2011)
- Career
Highlights -
Current engagements:
- Social Affairs Reporter, Shina Ilbo
- Auditor, Journalists Association of Korea
- Executive Auditor, Korea Economic Daily (held roles including department head, bureau chief, director, and managing director)
- Chairperson, Dongguk University Journalism Alumni Association
- Full-Time Advisor, Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS)
- Co-President, IPS
- Independent Auditor, Seoul Academy
- Vice President & Acting President, aSSIST University
- Career
-
Eun-Key Yoon: 2nd and 3rd President (Mar. 2007 – May 2010)
- Career
Highlights -
Current engagements:
- Chairperson, Korea Collaboration Association (KCA)
- Chairperson, ROK Baekgang Forum
- Co-President, HeungSaDahn Transparency Movement
- Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Chunman Scholarship Foundation
- Director, Korea Support Committee for the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)
- Co-Chair, Korea Consumer Brand Committee
- Jury Chair, Korea Communication Awards
- Chairperson, Global Warm Society
Previous roles- President, Central Officials Training Institute
- Advisor, Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations
- Leadership Member, Korean National Elders Council (head of National Development Support Group)
- Member, Presidential Council on Nation Branding
- Member, National Industrial Technology Protection Committee under the Prime Minister’s Office
- Director, Climate Change Center
- Member, Policy Advisory Group to the Korea Student Aid Foundation
- Member, Asian Olympic Council
- Head of Promotion, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee
- Member, Institutional Management Advisory Board, the National Institute for Lifelong Education
- Member, the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee
- Chairperson, Supporters Association for the National Theater of Korea
- Chairperson, Council of Directors of Civil Service Training Centers
- Member, Advisory Board, the Korea Contract Sales Organization Association (KCSOA)
- Professor Emeritus, Air University
- Career
-
David N. Smith: Inaugural President (Mar. 2004 – Feb. 2006)
- Career
Highlights -
- Former Vice Dean, Harvard Law School
- Former Deputy Attorney General, State of New York
- Former Policy Advisor on Asia and Africa for the World Bank and the US Federal Government
- Career
