The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) played a pivotal role during Gov. Wes Moore's economic development mission to South Korea from April 13-19, 2025, establishing five memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Chosun University.

UMB Provost Roger Ward, right, signs a memorandum of understanding with Kim Chun-sung, the president of Chosun University.

University officials joined the governor as the Maryland delegation witnessed the signing of the MOUs between UMB and Chosun University in Gwangju, South Korea. The agreements, designed to promote academic exchange between the two universities, aim to foster international education opportunities, research collaborations, and economic growth in Maryland's life sciences sector.

Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, UMB provost and executive vice president, signed the Universitywide agreement on April 16 that will facilitate exchange programs for faculty, researchers, and students for an initial three-year period.

"These partnerships represent UMB's commitment to global engagement in health care education and research," said Ward. "Working with Chosun University gives our students and faculty valuable international perspectives while advancing our shared academic missions."

The collaborations involve the University of Maryland Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Each school signed specialized agreements though all share key elements including faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, and academic resource sharing.

The UMB delegation featured leaders from each participating school, including Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, MA, dean of the School of Dentistry; Jessica A. Mong,  PhD, assistant dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies at the School of Medicine; Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the School of Nursing; and Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

UMB's participation underscores Moore's strategy to position Maryland as a global leader in key industries including life sciences, biotechnology, and research.

“Our mission marks the next chapter in our work to grow our economy and build new pathways to prosperity for Marylanders,” Moore said in a news release. “We look forward to working with our partners and friends in the Republic of Korea toward achieving our shared vision.”

Virginia Rowthorn, JD, LLM, UMB assistant vice president for global engagement, will coordinate ongoing collaboration as the universities implement exchange programs and joint academic initiatives in the coming years. Rowthorn shared that plans are underway to host a leadership delegation from Chosun University at UMB in fall 2025.