President of Daejeon University Lee Jong Seo

Hello everyone. I am the president of Daejeon University Lee Jong Seo.

First, I sincerely express my congratulations on “The Opening Ceremony of the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium” sponsored by Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture and thanks president Zhang Ailin, secretary Wang Jianzhong, and all teachers of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture for inviting me, as well as thanks the guests from domestic government organs and overseas universities for visiting.

Daejeon University locates in Daejeon City of South Korea, with only one hour journey from Seoul, the capital city of South Korea. Locating in the center of South Korea, it is a transportation hub, scientific center and administration center, as well as the special city of the 4^th industry revolution designed by the newly established government. Therefore, Daejeon city can be called as a future city.

Daejeon University is a 4 year undergraduate university, established in 1980. There are totally more than 10,000 undergraduate in all the 7 colleges, more than 1000 postgraduates and doctor students. Daejeon University has been selected as the financial supporting university in the three fields of “Leading University Cultivation Project (LINC+) of Industry and Study Cooperation”, “Leading University Cultivation Project (ACE) of Undergraduate Education”, and “Special Project (CK-1) of Local Universities” by South Korea government, rated as “University of International Education Ability” by ministry of education and ministry of justice.

“The Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium” set up by Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture is to respond the Planning Practice of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road issued by the MOHURD, MOFA, MOFCOM of China as well as the project of “the Belt and Road” development strategy of the state. The joint participation of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture and various universities in the world means that the future development among each other deserves better expectation.

From the history, we can understand that the Silk Road has had great impact on the economic and cultural exchange between the east and the west from 2000 years ago to the realization of industry revolution. Though the realization of industry revolution, internationalization and the digital world make us closer in time and in space, the difference in ideas and religions also causes a lot of contradictions, and the economic gap between countries is widening. I think it is the needs of the era for us to build the Silk Road to meet the requirements of the new era to pursue the cooperation, co-existence and peace and mutual benefit. If it is for looking for regional cooperation with this noble significance, our Daojeon University will take part in this project positively with all the human resources and knowledge information.

Especially for the Belt and Road course promoted by Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Daejeon University will utilize its excellent performance in architecture, civil engineering, environment as the backup force, and make continuous efforts for the exchange of students and professors between the two schools as well as the development of industry and study cooperation. Moreover, Daejeon University will also participate in the smart city and IT field construction of “Daejeon City” which is the 4^th industry revolution city. As for discussion on education and research itself, the gathering of talents of different culture backgrounds is the best solution for innovative talent cultivation required by the era.

In 2015, led by the vice president of our university, each responsible person including the president of the college of postgraduates visited your school. In 2016, the vice Party secretary and many teachers of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture also visited our university. The two universities have signed cooperation agreement through mutual visits and carried out exchange activity of postgraduates. Through this visit, I believe the cooperation between two schools will be more specific and firmer, and the cooperation with other overseas member universities will also be expanded.

I express my congratulations on “the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium” sponsored by Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture again, as well as my sincere appreciation for president Zhang Ailin, secretary Wang Jianzhong and all teachers, and sincerely wish the prosperous development of mutual cooperation among all the universities participating in this conference today. Thank you!