Interview with Dean Kang Byoung-Cheorl of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
We spoke with Professor Kang Byoung-Cheorl of the Department of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology at Seoul National University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who was newly appointed as dean this past July, about the realistic challenges the College will face and its future vision. Since joining the faculty in 2006, Dean Kang devoted himself to research and recently served as the Vice President for Research at Seoul National University for two years until January of this year. Having taken office as dean on July 27, he outlined in the interview his concrete vision and strategies for how the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can proactively navigate an era of rapid changes.
In an era of Great Transformation, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Must Respond Swiftly
Dean Kang emphasized that “today is an era of great transformation in which technologies—such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven science—are advancing at a rapid pace,” and stated that the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences must actively respond to and overcome these changes. He added that being able to lead the College as its dean is “a great honor and a tremendous responsibility.”
Turning Upcoming Crises into Opportunities: The Role of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dean Kang emphasized that one of the college’s most important tasks is to transform the crises ahead into opportunities. He identified the major challenges such as a shortage of talent, industrial decline, and food security threats caused by climate change, stating that “the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as a collective space of complex-system science, has the capacity to overcome these crises through diverse technologies.”
He presented concrete solutions—including advanced biotechnologies such as gene-editing tools, smart-farm cultivation systems, and carbon-neutral strategies using meteorological and satellite data—and added, “How successfully we implement these solutions will determine whether we can turn crisis into opportunity.”
The sincerity and growth of undergraduate students are ultimately the key to leading the College
He pointed out that the increasing disengagement of undergraduate students—the next generation of scholars—after COVID-19 represents a serious crisis: “In this era of great transformation, the academic and industrial departure of many talented individuals could ultimately become a crisis for the field of agricultural and life sciences.” He added that not only students within the College but also undergraduates from other majors at Seoul National University often lack sufficient knowledge and confidence in their fields of study. However, he emphasized that a strong sense of conviction in one’s major is essential for growth, and that the College is considering various measures to address this issue. For example, plans include strengthening undergraduate research programs and major-related student clubs, as well as expanding global internship opportunities. Through hands-on experience at international agri-bio companies and international organizations, the College intends to support students in gaining confidence in their field and growing into the next generation of leaders.
CALS for CALS: A new compass for a rapidly adapting college
Dean Kang presented a new vision titled “CALS to CALS.”
The first CALS consists of four core values:
- C (Capacity Building): Strengthening members’ capabilities
- A (Agile Management): Swift response to change
- L (Listening to the Members): 교Engaging with the voices of faculty, students, and staff
- S (Strategic Planning for Research and Education): Strategic planning in education and research
- The second CALS refers to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Dean Kang explained that “CALS to CALS” reflects our commitment to leading global agricultural and life sciences together with our constituents.
He stated that the ultimate vision built on this philosophy is to become “a global leader in agricultural and life sciences.” Although the added value of agricultural and life sciences is currently not high in Korea or globally, he pointed out that the Netherlands —facing similar conditions—has nonetheless become a world leader in agri-bio sciences. Inspired by this, he proposed two development tracks.
The first track is “Learning.” CALS will send students to globally leading universities—such as Wageningen University in the Netherlands—and place them in internships at global companies and international organizations so they can learn what CALS must adopt.
The second track is “Teaching.” Based on knowledge and technologies developed at CALS, the college aims to extend educational and technical support to developing regions such as Southeast Asia and Africa to address food security challenges.
Advice to Students: “I hope you discover the hidden gems within your major.”
Dean Kang noted the recent tendency among students to focus on ‘stable career paths’ or ‘high income,’ saying that he often sees students who think mainly about “How can I make a lot of money?” However, he emphasized that instead of looking only ahead and chasing employment or stability, “it is important to discover the value within your own major and achieve self-realization through it.” He advised students to uncover the hidden gems within their disciplines in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and to move forward not as individuals fighting alone but by cooperating with professors, seniors, juniors, and peers, as they consider together the future of the college.
