Closer research and education ties for Denmark and South Korea

Denmark and South Korea are very different countries, but have many similarities in the area of education and research.

In 2012, the two countries entered into a collaborative agreement to strengthen bilateral relations within research, innovation and higher education. And in August 2013, Denmark's embassy in Seoul was expanded to include an Innovation Centre.

Minister for Higher Education and Science Sofie Carsten Nielsen will visit South Korea during 18-22 January to develop these ties even further.

- South Korea is a country with world class education, research and innovation and can offer inspiration for Denmark in these areas. Koreans are particularly talented at creating collaborations between public knowledge institutions and private businesses, and I look forward to learning more about their experience, says Sofie Carsten Nielsen.

During the visit Sofie Carsten Nielsen will meet with her Korean ministerial counterparts to discuss increased cooperation. She will also visit the universities of KAIST and Yonsei University to gain inspiration from their entrepreneurial programmes, including the development of companies with roots in student activities.

The minister will be accompanied by a delegation made up of representatives from universities and a number of SMEs that collaborate with local businesses and universities on the development of sound technology, e-learning and design.

A number of activities to promote business will take place in the form of the opening of a “Sound Innovation Camp”, a visit to the Korean conglomerate Hyundai Kia, as well as attending a fashion show during the visit.

Of the OECD countries, South Korea has invested the most in research and development – about 5 per cent of their GDP. The investment is also in areas where Denmark has considerable strength, such as green energy.

For further information please contact:

Head of Division Gitte Agerhus, e-mail: gha@fi.dk, tel. +45 7231 8250

Press and communication advisor Steen Bruun Jensen, e-mail: sbj@fi.dk, tel. +45 4132 6030