I wish to welcome each and every student, faculty member, and staff to SolBridge International School of Business. We have established an institution with a well-deserved reputation for educational innovation and creativity, and have had official recognition of that fact by gaining accreditation from AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only fourteen other colleges in Korea hold that ranking and we are the first private university outside of the Seoul metropolitan area to be so recognized. In addition, last year we received what is called a CK-1 award from the Ministry of Education for having the best globalization program in all Korea. Importantly, that came with a five-year five million dollar grant and a 1.25 million dollar bonus for being first. Thus, you can see that I consider it a great honor to lead this school that has already accomplished so much, and will strive to continue the course already clearly established in the academic world. In the case of SolBridge International School of Business, we have individually decided to join together to continue a journey into the 21^st century that will be exciting, productive, and academically rewarding.

While the faculty and staff of both institutions (Woosong University and SolBridge) will bring our collective experiences and skills together to focus on student career preparation, the students will take these offerings and from the many different perspectives present, mold them into individual career patterns that we hope will be rewarding in themselves, and to society as well.

We are all here at the creation! I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead SolBridge International School of Business as it begins its ninth year and stands on the shoulders of the accomplishments of the Woosong Educational Foundation. Created in 1954, The foundation has sponsored educational programs and experiences at all levels of instruction. Since 1995, when Woosong University was founded, it has earned a reputation for excellence which is justly earned. The creation of a college of international business that includes a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration is a natural extension of the academic activism we see here in the city of Daejeon. It is my pleasure to extend my congratulations to the Woosong Educational Foundation as it begins its 62^nd year contributing to the youth of Korea, Asia and the world.

With your assistance and wholehearted support, I intend to use the uniquely different aspect of SolBridge International School of Business to gain worldwide attention for our faculty and provide students with rewarding experiences. We will participate in and support international activities that will help in the creation of a new “Neighborhood Asia.” The innovative satellite model that envisages SolBridge campuses in other parts of Asia will bring reality to the concept of cooperative security. In this sense, we talk of a common security that all mankind seeks to assure the opportunities of a good, productive, and happy life. This progressive and highly integrated business education program will demonstrate what can be done as we strive for an even more prosperous Asia-Pacific region based on integrity, excellence, creativity, diversity, flexibility, and innovation.

As you can see, I firmly believe in the SolBridge method of applied education and training for international business. We sit at the hub of Asia in this dynamic and energetic nation that stands as an example for the world to emulate. Our goal will be to jointly bring education that is both applied and theoretical to the eyes of the rest of Korea, Asia, and the World. Our mission is to Educate the Next Generation of Asian Thought Leaders, and here in Daejeon there is a young institution dedicated to doing just that - produce the best participants possible for the global economy. It is my desire to ensure that each and every graduate will be well-rounded and ready to accept the challenges that the future will offer. It is my utmost pleasure to welcome you to SolBridge International School of Business where we will work together for a better world.

Sincerely,

John E. Endicott, Ph.D.
President of Woosong University
Vice Chancellor of SolBridge International School of Business