Sungkyunkwan University

Sungkyunkwan University was founded at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty in 1398 as the highest national educational institute in the early years of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. As the oldest university in East Asia, it has fostered leaders of our society for over 600 years.

‘SKKU’s main ideology, 수기치인 (修己治人) pronounced ‘Su-Gi-Chi-In’, teaches that SKKU students strive to perfect themselves as leaders and contribute to our society.

This ideology is the fundamental principle by which SKKU brought up leaders of our society for over 600 years, thus contributing to evolution of our society. Sungkyunkwan University,’ continuously strives to integrate its founding tradition philosophy with the modern technology in order with a view to cultivating global graduate’ s talents who will lead the 21st century.

Old Sungkyunkwan was founded over 600 years ago by royal decree to promote education the scholarship in Confucianism. As nation’s highest educational institution, Old Sungkyunkwan went through vicissitudes with the country it served over the centuries.

Though a long history alone cannot guarantee the excellence of an institution, the rich culture, which exudes from a long tradition, is surely a unique and valuable asset of the University. What the University has achieved in the past fifty years meets and exceeds that of the preceding history. We take pride in the University’s innovative spirit; as a result of the long efforts to place natural sciences on an equal footing with our strong foundation in humanities, we now operate two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus and the Natural Sciences Campus.

Based on a highly successful partnership with Samsung which has generously funded several core initiatives, the University has been rapidly developing and prospering since 1996.

Natural Science Campus (Suwon)

The expansion of the University’s academic vision naturally led beyond Seoul to Suwon, a city that has long played a vital role in Korea’s history, science, and industry. Located in Gyeonggi Province, Suwon is a city where historical legacy and future-oriented innovation coexist. Known for Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Suwon preserves the architectural and cultural heritage of the Joseon Dynasty while serving today as a hub of advanced industry, research, and technology. This harmonious blend of tradition and progress provides an ideal setting for scientific inquiry and innovation.

Established to support the University’s growing emphasis on science, engineering, and technology, the Natural Sciences Campus was developed as a comprehensive, research-oriented campus. While the original Seoul campus continues its role as the center for humanities and social sciences, the Suwon campus became the home of the University’s expanding programs in natural sciences, engineering, information technology, biotechnology, and medicine. This strategic division allowed the University to preserve its historical roots in Seoul while embracing large-scale growth and experimentation in Suwon.

The Natural Sciences Campus offers an expansive and modern academic environment, equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and educational facilities. Surrounded by open green spaces and supported by a well-integrated infrastructure, the campus fosters collaboration, creativity, and interdisciplinary research. Its proximity to major industrial complexes and research institutes further enables close cooperation between academia and industry, allowing students and researchers to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications.

Today, the Natural Sciences Campus stands as a cornerstone of the University’s commitment to scientific excellence and innovation. Rooted in the University’s long-standing educational philosophy yet firmly oriented toward the future, the campus continues to nurture global leaders in science and technology, contributing to both national development and the advancement of global knowledge.