The 2nd Conference of Hanseatic League of Universities
& the 40th Anniversary of Incheon National University
July 3rd ~ 5th, 2019
Songdo, Incheon, Korea

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May 27th, 2019

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Dear College/University President,

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We are cordially inviting you to the 2nd Conference of Hanseatic League of Universities from July 3rd to July 5th, 2019 to be held at Incheon National University’s beautiful campus by the sea in the ultra-modern city of Songdo, Korea.

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Last year, presidents of 10 universities from major cities across Europe, Asia and America were invited by President Henk Pijlman of Hanze University of Applied Sciences. This university was named after Hanseatic League, which existed from the 12th century through the 17th century as a confederation of approximately 190 cities in Europe to protect the citizens’ safety in life and freedom in economy.

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During the meeting, participating presidents voiced their preference to focus on the practical application of science and technology as a basis for world university rankings, rather than the mere outputs of research papers and citations that currently represent the majority of factors used to compare and gauge the quality of a university. The presidents agreed to turn the meeting into the 1st Conference of the Hanseatic League of Universities, with the mission of working together to address the real impact of higher education on society and industry. Incheon National University agreed to host the 2nd Conference of Hanseatic League of Universities in 2019 as part of its 40th Anniversary.

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With your participation in the 2nd Conference, your college/university will be recommended to become a full member of the Hanseatic League of Universities. The conference starts in the evening of Wednesday July 3rd and ends at 3 p.m. on Friday July 5th.

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On July 4th, His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary General of the United Nations, will deliver a keynote speech on global sustainability through education. Then we will discuss collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship as a means for the universities to implement real change in society.

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POSCO Presidents’ Summit will take place immediately after HE Ban’s keynote address. Founder and CEO Ben Nelson of Minerva Schools will make a speech on his philosophy behind Minerva Schools, which is considered one of the most innovative universities in the world today.

On July 5th, Professor Emeritus Moon Hwy-Chang of Seoul National University, a globally renowned scholar on competitive strategy, will introduce a new university ranking system called “World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI).”

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Professor Moon also requests for your active participation in the inauguration of WURI program across three capacities: designer of your university’s innovative programs, contender to the “Top 100 WURI’20” with the innovative programs that you will send us, and founding member of the Evaluation Board of the WURI ranking system. This new ranking result will be released in 2020 at the 3rd Conference of Hanseatic League of Universities or in a similar occasion. Professor Moon’s letter to you is attached

Incheon National University will provide three nights of stay and local transportation for two representatives, including you, from your university, while you are in Incheon during the Conference. If there are more participants from your university, we will help them arrange hotel reservation, albeit at your expense. World-famous Korean hospitality will be provided to all participants in the form of fabulous cuisines, classical music performances, and a visit to Samsung Biologics, which has become a global leader in bio industry.

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We sincerely wish that your college/university join the 21st century version of Hanseatic League of Universities, and you share with us your insights and experiences on college/university’s real impact.

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May we ask that you complete the enclosed Registration Form and send it to us at your earliest convenience so that we can plan ahead to provide you with the maximum hospitality.

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Just in case you or your colleague representing your college/university cannot join us at the July Conference in Korea, we still hope that you send us your college/university’s innovative programs thereby becoming a contender to the “Top 100 WURI’20.” Also, by sending your innovative programs to us, you will be requested to become a founding member of the Evaluation Board of the WURI ranking system.

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I look forward to seeing you on July 3 in Songdo, the safest city in the world.

 

Respectfully yours,

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Henk PIJLMAN
President, Hanze University of Applied Sciences
President, Hanseatic League of Universities

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and

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CHO Dong-Sung
President, Incheon National University
Chair, the 2nd Conference of Hanseatic League of Universities