The University of Sussex Business School partnered with Seoul National University (SNU) to provide sustainability and innovation training to South Korean students this summer. In this interview, we speak with Sangook Park, the Programme Lead and Associate Professor in the Department of Science Studies at SNU, and Youngha Chang, the Programme Co-convenor and Assistant Professor of Innovation Management at the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU).  

What inspired the launch of this joint programme?  

Sangook: SNU has its own study abroad programme for undergraduate students called SNU in the World. This initiative involves visiting many top-ranking institutions globally to learn about different topics. To address the lack of a course dedicated to sustainability and innovation, I proposed a partnership with SPRU, as the University of Sussex is a centre of global excellence for both sustainable development and innovation studies.    

Youngha: SPRU is known as the founding hub of innovation studies. This led me to study at Sussex a decade ago after leaving my role at Samsung. Earlier this year, Dr Sangook at SNU, who eventually became the leading faculty on this programme, was exploring a training opportunity for their undergraduate students on the topic of sustainability and innovation. I suggested SPRU’s training programme as a viable option – and it worked!  

What were the biggest lessons you wanted students to take away?  

Sangook: SNU is a top-ranking university with brilliant and highly competitive students, and I wanted them to broaden their global perspective. Industrial development and innovation in South Korea built the country’s wealth. However, South Korea needs to be more proactive about global issues like climate change. I hope students understand the importance of innovation for a sustainable future and develop their own perspective on how they can make a difference in the world.  

Youngha: The biggest lesson is that students now have a new lens through which they can see the real world. I believe they will act differently after the lectures, interactive workshops, and frameworks delivered by world-renowned colleagues at SPRU. 

How will this programme prepare students for their graduate career?  

Sangook: We intentionally chose 20 students studying various majors like natural sciences, pharmaceutics, psychology, public health, literature, education, politics, engineering, etc. Although every student will pursue a different career path, sustainability and innovation are critical subjects that will benefit every professional, especially tomorrow’s leaders.  

Youngha: The students who joined this programme were diverse. There were students studying a variety of subjects from second to final year, some have already started sustainability-related careers in Korea. Following Sussex University’s motto, ‘Be still and know,’ it’s important for students to find time to be still and know how they can incorporate the knowledge of sustainability and innovation into their career.  

How is this programme making an impact on sustainability and innovation in the real world?  

Sangook: We are training globally competitive future leaders. Some of them will become start-up entrepreneurs, executives in big tech firms, government officials, researchers, activists, politicians, you name it. I look forward to seeing their contributions on sustainability and innovation in the real world.  

Youngha: Rather than only teaching what is written in textbooks, most of SPRU’s teaching content is based on our academic research, relevant professional expertise, and practical insight. Some sustainability and innovation policies have already been developed because of our research. Through helping participants develop their knowledge on these topics, we are making an impact by training the next generation.  

In general, what do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity for the study and provision of sustainability and innovation learning in the years ahead?  

Sangook: Firstly, I hope our maiden programme runs smoothly and ends successfully. We intend to make this partnership an annual event at SNU, and I am sure this will interest even more students. There is also the possibility of establishing an exchange programme between students at SNU and the Business School. To develop this collaboration, we will review and revise the course. By joining forces, we can expand into other Asian universities and establish an international network of sustainability and innovation. 

Youngha: Sustainability and innovation have become increasingly important. During the pandemic, for example, interest in this topic significantly grew. Despite this, there is still a gap between the requirements of sustainability and innovation at the global level and our thoughts around ‘what can/should I do?’. It isn't enough to consider sustainability and innovation as a given, or as what others do. Rather, we should also think about how to apply the knowledge to the world and to ourselves. For example, in one of my sessions during the programme, I led a workshop on incorporating innovation into one's daily life. We explored an innovation strategy approach on how to create a personal strategy, specifically a job-related one.  

What can students do now, both in South Korea and in the UK, to make an impact towards a sustainable future?  

Sangook: A greater emphasis is placed on sustainability in the United Kingdom than in South Korea, but students are now changing their behaviour to become more environmentally conscious. What is more important is that they begin to connect sustainability with innovation, which will impact more people and contribute to a sustainable future. Think, dream, act accordingly and prepare to create a desirable future. That’s my message to students.  

Youngha: Take a step back from your phone, look at the sky and the sea, read and talk to others. Envision the world you want to live in, then list what you can do or need to do to make it a reality.