Ohio State Faculty Strengthen Ties with Inje University in South Korea

Professors from The Ohio State University recently visited Inje University in Gimhae, South Korea, to foster international collaboration and share expertise. The delegation, consisting of Joyce Y. Lee, assistant professor in the College of Social Work, Sharvari Karandikar, professor and associate dean of academic affairs, and Sehun Oh, associate professor, spent two days engaging with university administrators, faculty, and students.

The trip aimed not only to strengthen professional relationships but also to explore potential collaborations between the two institutions. The discussions included meetings with Inje’s social welfare department and presentations at a university-wide research forum. Lee expressed that it was a “rewarding experience” that could significantly extend the reach and impact of Ohio State’s College of Social Work.

The relationship between the two universities began over two years ago when Dae Hee Lee, vice president for external affairs at Inje, visited Ohio State. He met with David Jenkins, the college’s dean, to discuss a potential global exchange program, similar to existing ones Ohio State has established in countries such as India, Australia, and Portugal.

“Summer 2025 seemed like a good time for us to go to Inje and scope it out,” Lee noted. Karandikar highlighted the importance of the trip for student learning opportunities and the potential for faculty collaborations.

During their visit, the Ohio State delegation received a warm welcome from Inje University officials, including Minhyon Jeon, the university president, who expressed enthusiasm for their guests. “He follows all the football games,” Lee mentioned, referring to the excitement surrounding Ohio State’s national championship win the previous year.

Building connections between the two universities was a key focus of the trip. Lee appreciated sharing her expertise, particularly while navigating cultural and language differences. “We wanted to be respectful of cultural norms,” she said, acknowledging the complexities of Korean honorifics and formal speech.

To facilitate communication, the team utilized an AI program employed by their Inje counterparts for live translation. Karandikar remarked on the kindness and understanding of the Inje faculty, emphasizing the importance of approaching such experiences with openness and humility.

This visit marked Lee’s first opportunity to represent Ohio State in an international context. She learned valuable lessons from Karandikar, who serves as an international liaison for the college. “I watched Sharvari a lot, trying to soak in how she does it,” Lee reflected, considering how to effectively form partnerships while maintaining professionalism.

The exchange provided valuable insights into different approaches to social welfare and education. Lee found it particularly enlightening to observe Gimhae’s comprehensive child and family welfare systems, noting how exposure to diverse practices could benefit Ohio State’s faculty and students.

Karandikar took pride in presenting Ohio State’s values during the visit. “I talked about who we are: our university, our college, our curriculum, our commitment to community engagement,” she explained. The overall sentiment among the delegation was one of satisfaction with the visit’s outcomes.

“It was the best decision I could have made, both for myself and for the college,” Karandikar stated, surprised by the enthusiastic reception they received. “There were banners everywhere, ‘Welcome, Ohio State.’” One memorable aspect of their hospitality was the sandwiches served with welcome stickers on their wrappers, which Karandikar described as a unique and heartwarming touch.

The partnership with Inje University represents a significant step in enhancing global engagement for The Ohio State University, promising future opportunities for collaboration and learning.