Dean Inauguration Ceremony at CALS, Seoul National University
On July 25, 2025, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Seoul National University held a dean inauguration ceremony at Building 201. The event marked the conclusion of Professor Pahn-Shick Chang’s distinguished four-year tenure as the 27th and 28th Dean, and celebrated the appointment of Professor Byoung-Cheorl Kang as the 29th Dean. The ceremony provided an opportunity to reflect on the College’s achievements in recent years and to present its vision for the future.
Celebrating Four Years of Achievement
In his farewell address, Professor Chang highlighted CALS’s progress across five key areas: education, research, infrastructure, internationalization, and social responsibility.
Education: Established the Department of Smart System Science and implemented the Green Bio-Innovation Convergence University Project to foster next-generation leaders. Expanded student-centered initiatives including mentoring programs and career fairs.
Research: Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, hosted international lectures, and enhanced research capacity through state-of-the-art equipment.
Infrastructure: Advanced major projects including the reconstruction of Building 75, remodeling of the U-Space in Building 200, and renovation of the Agricultural Library.
Internationalization: Strengthened global partnerships through expanded cooperation with institutions in the United States, Japan, China, and beyond.
Social Responsibility: Opened the Gwanak Arboretum to the public and concluded national property transfer agreements to support education and research.
Reflecting on his service under the slogan “CALS BEST,” Professor Chang expressed gratitude to faculty, staff, students, and external partners, noting that their support enabled him to successfully complete his mission as dean.
A Vision for the Future
In his inaugural remarks, Professor Kang underscored both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. He cited pressing issues such as climate change, global instability, food security concerns, demographic shifts, and declining graduate enrollment. At the same time, he emphasized opportunities presented by the rising importance of agriculture and forestry in addressing the climate crisis, the global recognition of Korean food and culture, and innovations in AI, big data, biotechnology, and eco-friendly biomaterials.
Guided by the new slogan “CALS FOR CALS,” Dean Kang pledged to strengthen the College’s capacity through agile leadership, attentive communication, and strategic education and research. He stressed the importance of cross-college collaboration within Seoul National University, aiming to generate synergy and contribute to the university’s collective growth.
Looking Ahead
Over the past four years, CALS has achieved significant advances across education, research, infrastructure, international partnerships, and community engagement. Building on this strong foundation, CALS will continue to lead Korea’s efforts in food security, forestry, and environmental sustainability, shaping a resilient and sustainable future.
