SUNY Korea launched the Access to Excellence (AE) Program on January 13, 2025, welcoming 53 prospective students who will join the incoming freshmen class this Spring semester. First initiated in 2022, the AE Program is designed to help incoming freshmen adjust to the academic and social environment of an American university. This two-weeks program – which lasts until January 24, 2025 – will provide the participants with essential pre-university skills, enabling a smooth transition into their academic journey at SUNY Korea. The AE Program offers a comprehensive schedule that combines English and Mathematics sessions with structured evening tutoring, as these core subjects are critical throughout their college years. The students will undergo a thorough assessment of their academic abilities and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, students will be able to interact early with their peers, fostering connections even before the Spring 2025 semester begins. Each day, the morning sessions focus on academic English, while the afternoon sessions are dedicated to Mathematics. To maximize learning and retention, evening study sessions are led by teaching assistants (TAs), providing personalized tutoring and support. Over all, the SUNY Korea AE Program reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence by equipping participants with the tools necessary for academic and personal success. This transformative experience ensures that students enter their university journey well-prepared and connected to a supportive community.
SUNY Korea’s 2024 Fall Commencement Ceremony took place on December 13, 2024, at the IGC Auditorium. The event celebrated the achievements of 77 graduates, including students from both the main campus and SUNY Korea. The graduates represented various departments, including Computer Science, Technology and Society, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, and Applied Mathematics and Statistics. The ceremony opened with a welcome speech by Professor Hamid Hefazi, who served as the anchor for the event. This was followed by a congratulatory speech from President Arthur H. Lee of SUNY Korea. President Lee encouraged the graduates to take the knowledge and skills they had gained during their time at SUNY Korea and use them to create meaningful contributions to society. Following that, the Valedictorian of the 2024 graduating class, Jinkyu Lee, delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. He urged his fellow graduates to never give up on their dreams, regardless of the challenges they may encounter along the way. A significant highlight of the ceremony was the conferral of Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Dr. Kim Bong Gun received his Ph.D. in Computer Science, while Dr. Kim Saebom was awarded her Ph.D. in Technology and Society. These achievements were celebrated as symbols of academic dedication and excellence. The event continued with the awarding of certificates to the Fall 2024 graduates. Among the 77 graduates, many earned prestigious honors such as Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude, reflecting their exceptional academic achievements and high cumulative GPAs. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the graduates alongside SUNY Korea’s faculty and staff. This moment marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by the graduates, who were filled with pride and joy as they celebrated their accomplishments. As these brilliant and ambitious individuals step into the next chapter of their lives, we bid them farewell with confidence that they will make a lasting impact on the world. SUNY Korea is proud to have been a part of their journey and looks forward to seeing them become leaders and history-makers in their respective fields. Written by Student Reporter, Onyinyechi Achi (onyinyechi.achi@stonybrook.edu)
The 2024 SUNY Korea Research Challenge showcased the remarkable talents of 79 students from Stony Brook University (SBU) and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The event aimed to cultivate creativity, independence, and innovative thinking in research and entrepreneurship. Moreover, participants worked collaboratively to develop ideas for patents and startups, as well as solutions for social causes, all tied to this year’s theme of R&D and entrepreneurship. A total of 36 teams competed, comprising 32 students from SBU and 47 students from FIT. These diverse teams united their efforts to create groundbreaking projects. The event was a recognition of SUNY Korea’s excellence in research and collaboration. SUNY Korea announced the winners of this year’s prestigious research awards following a rigorous evaluation process. A panel of judges from various academic departments assessed the projects based on two main criteria: research excellence and potential for industry-academia collaboration. Three teams emerged victorious, receiving accolades for their innovative contributions and practical applications in bridging academia and industry. Furthermore, the celebration of this cutting-edge research was done through various awards. Saebom Jin, a Ph.D. candidate from SBU’s Department of Technology and Society, was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research for her groundbreaking work titled "Leveraging Data-Driven Innovation and Digital Technologies for Sustainable Transformation in Urban Disaster Risk Management." Her research highlights how data-driven strategies can effectively mitigate urban disaster risks. Following this, the Vice-Presidential Award for Industrial Potential was awarded to Hansol Lim, Jee Won Lee, and Hanbeam Chang from SBU’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Their project, "EV-PINN: A Physics-Informed Neural Network for Predicting Electric Vehicle Dynamics," focuses on developing a real-time energy management system for electric vehicles. Subsequently, Roman Jano Rabo, a Master's Degree Program student from SBU’s Mechanical Engineering Department, received the Executive Director’s Award for Industrial Potential. His research, "Tidal Power for Low-Energetics Flows in ASEAN Region: A Case in Awasan Bay, Surigao del Norte, Philippines," explores innovative approaches to renewable energy. Additionally, the challenge also featured a poster exhibition held on December 2, 2024, in the lobby of Building C at SUNY Korea. The exhibition displayed research from 34 teams, encompassing a wide range of disciplines and encouraging intellectual exchange. After all is said and done, to strengthen the academia-industry connection, the annual Research Challenge exemplifies SUNY Korea’s commitment to fostering research excellence and transforming innovative ideas into practical applications. By bridging academia and industry, the event not only celebrates outstanding achievements but also addresses global challenges through collaboration and ingenuity.
On Saturday, December 7th, FIT students and faculty went to Hanyang University Erica Campus to learn from and connect with fashion experts from around the world. This conference, held by the Korean Society of Fashion Business, focused on the future of K-Fashion as we enter the digital age, and what this means for sustainability. The conference had two keynote lecturers, the first being Professor Ali Howell Abolo, from Drexel University, USA. Her presentation explored reviewing a company's sustainability through multiple lenses: not simply through an eco-friendly frame but a social and economic one as well. Afterwards, Shuxin Cheng, Co-founder of SCRY, spoke about the beauty of innovation through digital design and launches, showing how growing a brand digitally can reap big rewards sustainably. Between the two speakers, the audience was able to gain inspiration on how to go about promoting holistic sustainability; additionally, they learned a new model of business creation by going virtual. Following the keynote lecture, an international forum was held by four speakers: Alexander Ruth, founder of PROFESSOR; Jimmyn Parc, professor at the University of Malaya; Jin-Hee Yoon, director of the entertainment division at JTBC; and Jaewon Sheol, editor-in-chief of Cultura. Each focused on different aspects of fashion and media as it concerns Korea on the global stage, from set design, to film, to K-pop. Their executive insight was a large inspiration to the many fashion leaders, professors, and students who attended. The discussions led to casual networking and the growth of new concepts as attendees bounced ideas and asked questions concerning the future of fashion business and design. The Korean Society of Fashion Business was founded in 1996 to nurture a relationship between academia and fashion. The committee hosts conferences, publishes research, and promotes international exchanges to develop the presence of Korean fashion initiatives globally. This conference was an eye-opening opportunity for FIT students and faculty to expand their knowledge and think critically about the current global shifts in the industry as times change and interest in the Korean market expands. Written by Student Reporter, Kenessa Washington (kenessa_washington@fitnyc.edu)
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, SUNY Korea hosted its annual Mechanical Engineering Final Project Showcase from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Doosan Dream Makerspace (IGC Building B1093). The event provided students with an opportunity to present their innovative projects to peers, faculty, and visitors. Projects ranged from AI-based pothole detection systems to student-manufactured items and even casino slot machine prototypes which reflected the creativity and engineering skills of participants. The showcase featured three main sections: MEC 440/441 project presentations, MEC 325 project showcases, and MEC 101 presentations. Dr. Hamid Hefazi delivered the opening remarks, setting the start for an engaging and insightful event. Closing remarks concluded the showcase at 6:00 PM, celebrating the students’ hard work and achievements. Claire, a senior participant, shared her reflections on the experience: “The senior design project was a challenging but rewarding experience. Over the course of a year, my team and I worked through countless iterations, using tools like CAD and FEA simulations to design, prototype, and refine our idea. Our journey wasn’t always smooth—there were plenty of late nights troubleshooting and rethinking our approach—but those moments taught me the value of teamwork and adaptability. Presenting our project at the ME final showcase was a proud moment. It felt amazing to share what we had worked so hard on with peers, professors, and our advisor. Seeing everything come together made all the effort worth it and reinforced my passion for hands-on engineering and problem-solving.” The event not only highlighted the students’ technical knowledge and problem-solving skills, but also demonstrated their creativity skills and teamwork. As the event came to a close, the showcase served as an important reminder for students to address real world challenges and inspire a passion for their engineering interests. Written by Student Reporter, Yeongeun Ahn (yeongeun.ahn@stonybrook.edu)
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