A delegation from Oklahoma State University (OSU) visited Korea Aerospace University (KAU) on June 17 to explore opportunities for expanding international exchange programs and enhancing research collaboration in the aerospace field.

OSU is a public comprehensive university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and is ranked among the top public universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. It is particularly strong in aerospace engineering, agricultural sciences, business, and education, with a total enrollment of approximately 24,000 students as of 2019. The university is highly active in global education and research collaboration.

KAU representatives, including Dr. Song Woon-Kyung (Director of the Office of International Affairs), Dr. Park Jin-Woo (Head of the School of International Studies), and Dr. Na In-Gi (Professor, School of International Studies), welcomed the delegation. The OSU delegation included Dr. Randy Kluver (Vice Provost and Dean of Global Studies), Dr. Jeffrey Simpson (Associate Dean for Global Partnerships), Dr. Samuel Ball (Director of the Center for Global Learning), and Ms. Soo Jung Kim (Coordinator for International Student and Scholar Services).

The OSU delegation expressed strong interest in KAU’s specialized aerospace education and research capabilities. They held in-depth discussions on potential joint research opportunities, particularly in the fields of aerospace and unmanned aerial systems, which OSU has strategically prioritized. The delegation also indicated its intent to position KAU as a strategic partner in Asia for international collaboration and agreed to explore long-term cooperation based on industry-academic linkages.

OSU also showed great interest in sending their students to KAU’s annual International Summer Program (ISP) as part of efforts to expand global learning opportunities. The delegation, h a v i n g been introduced to ISP by Dr. Jamey Jacob, Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (and former faculty at Purdue and Embry-Riddle), viewed the ISP as a starting point for gradually developing student exchange programs between the two institutions.

Both universities agreed to develop concrete plans for OSU student participation in the 2026 ISP. They also discussed broader student exchange initiatives in cooperation with OSU’s partner institutions, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of North Dakota.

The OSU delegation emphasized that the visit marks a significant step in building a long-term partnership for international research and talent exchange. KAU likewise plans to further strengthen its foundation for global aerospace cooperation and international education through expanded collaboration with OSU.