The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) visited Sookmyung Women’s University on September 16 for a high-level meeting with President Moon Si-youn. The leadership discussed actionable industry-academia collaboration models, including joint educational programs with German multinationals, internship pipelines, recruitment pathways, and collaborative research projects. Building on these discussions, both institutions agreed to establish a sustainable partnership and advance toward signing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Talks on building a substantive collaboration: internships, mentoring, and joint R&D
During the meeting, concrete measures were proposed to combine KGCCI’s network of roughly 500 member companies and vocational training expertise with Sookmyung’s academic and research capabilities. Key areas of cooperation include omnibus lectures and executive mentoring from global German corporations, as well as joint R&D and Project-Based Learning (PBL) in core STEM fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, and bioengineering.
Furthermore, both parties discussed establishing domestic and international internship tracks, co-hosting initiatives focused on ESG, diversity, and women’s leadership, and launching exchange programs that encompass Korean cultural training for German corporate staff and global competency development for students.
Rather than pursuing short-term exchanges, the two institutions resolved to build a practical cooperation framework that connects hands-on student projects directly to industry demands, paving the way for employment opportunities. In particular, they are exploring avenues to integrate academic curricula with KGCCI’s expertise from "Ausbildung," Germany’s renowned dual vocational training model.
The discussion also highlighted synergies with "WIR (Women In koRea)," KGCCI’s flagship mentoring initiative connecting female corporate leaders with emerging talent. By aligning WIR with Sookmyung’s track record in women’s leadership, the two organizations plan to execute multifaceted initiatives spanning mentorship, career advancement, and diversity.
Invitation to APK 2026 and Global Business Engagement
During the session, KGCCI formally invited President Moon Si-youn to the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2026), scheduled to take place in Seoul from October 29 to 31.
APK 2026 will feature a keynote address by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and will be co-chaired by Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, alongside Roland Busch, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and CEO of Siemens. Through this forum, both institutions aim to expand high-level engagements with global business executives and generate sustained momentum for bilateral industry-academia collaboration.
Marie Antonia von Schönburg, President & CEO of KGCCI, said, "We are delighted to take this first step toward a new partnership with Sookmyung Women’s University, renowned for nurturing the next generation of women leaders in Korea. By bringing together Sookmyung’s outstanding talent with KGCCI’s strong network of German companies, expertise in vocational education, and women’s leadership platform WIR, we look forward to building meaningful bridges between education and industry and creating opportunities for students to connect, learn, and grow in a global business environment."
Moon Si-youn, President of Sookmyung Women’s University, stated, "This meeting marks a deeply meaningful first step toward connecting our students with German enterprises recognized for their world-class competitiveness. We will continue to expand opportunities so that students across diverse disciplines gain practical, real-world experience."