The International Virtual Conference of Sahmyook University, “ICSU 2021,” was held on November 17 and 18, in commemoration of the university’s 115th anniversary. As host of this large-scale conference, Sahmyook University aimed for academic exchanges with its 123 sister universities around the world, via online platforms this year. The conference took place with nearly 1,100 registrants from fifty-two countries.
Under the theme, “Sharing Mission, Vision, and Passion with the World,” the two-day program consisted of twelve sessions in five academic fields—Religion and Theology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Healthcare, Science and Technology, and Culture and Arts. The conference welcomed fifty-eight experts and professionals from fourteen countries who gave presentations and answered questions. It also included the Next Generation Sessions – fifteen presentations that featured the participation of undergraduates and high school students.
The success of this far-reaching international event during the COVID-19 pandemic was possible because of the continued growth of the university's global network over the past 115 years. Specifically, at the welcome ceremony of the conference, the university received messages of congratulations and support from many significant individuals, including Ted Wilson, President of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and presidents of its sister universities, including Andrews University (U.S.), Loma Linda University (U.S.), Southern Adventist University (U.S.), Weimar University, (U.S.), and Avondale University (Australia).
The international conference was a chance for Sahmyook University to showcase itself as a higher education institution striving to lay the foundation for the vitalization of international research cooperation and mutual academic exchanges. The university plans to hold such international conferences on a regular basis to further expand and strengthen its global network.
Sahmyook University and its sister universities are currently considering taking turns in hosting the event.
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