Laura LeeThe University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) played a pivotal role during Gov. Wes Moore’s economic development mission to South Korea earlier this year, underscoring Moore’s strategy to position Maryland as a global leader in key industries including life sciences, biotechnology, and research.
University officials joined the governor as the Maryland delegation witnessed the signing of five memoranda of understanding (MOU) between UMB and Chosun University in Gwangju, South Korea, during the trip in April. The agreements, designed to promote academic exchange between the two universities, aim to foster international education opportunities, research collaborations, and economic growth in Maryland’s life sciences sector.
Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, UMB provost and executive vice president, signed the Universitywide agreement on April 16 that will facilitate exchange programs for faculty, researchers, and students for an initial three-year period.
“These partnerships represent UMB’s commitment to global engagement in health care education and research,” Ward said. “Working with Chosun University gives our students and faculty valuable international perspectives while advancing our shared academic missions.”
UMB Deans Part of Delegation
The collaborations involve the University of Maryland Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Each school signed specialized agreements though all share key elements including faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, and academic resource sharing.
The UMB delegation featured leaders from each participating school, including Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA, dean of the School of Dentistry; Jessica A. Mong, PhD, assistant dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies at the School of Medicine; Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the School of Nursing; and Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy.
Moore said the state looks forward to working with its partners in the Republic of Korea to achieve their shared vision.
“Our mission marks the next chapter in our work to grow our economy and build new pathways to prosperity for Marylanders,” Moore said in a news release.
Virginia Rowthorn, JD, LLM, UMB assistant vice president for global engagement, will coordinate ongoing collaboration as the universities implement exchange programs and joint academic initiatives in the coming years. UMB was expected to host a leadership delegation from Chosun University in fall 2025.
