Gimcheon City, South Korea—Saint Mary’s University (SMU) strengthened its internationalization initiatives through participation in an official visit to South Korea from Dec. 15 to 19, 2025, as part of a delegation from the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Nueva Vizcaya. The visit was undertaken upon the invitation of the Gimcheon City Council to explore potential collaboration in local employment, internships, and academic exchange.

The delegation, which included representatives from the PLGU and the Governor’s Office, held meetings with key officials and institutions in Gimcheon City. Initial engagements included a meeting with the Gimcheon City Council, a visit to the Tuning Safety Technology Institute of Neotech, and a courtesy call on the Mayor of Gimcheon City. Discussions centered on the city’s need for seasonal agricultural workers, particularly in grape farming, and the potential for government-to-government hiring arrangements with the Philippines. The potential export of Gimcheon-grown grapes to the Philippine market was also explored.

A major highlight of the visit was the engagement with Gimcheon University on Dec. 17. Representing SMU, Internationalization Head Dr. Clara Gonzales joined discussions with University President Yoon Ok-Hyun, Dean of the International Affairs Office Yongsoo Kim, and other senior administrators, where talks centered on possible academic partnerships, particularly student and faculty exchange programs, given the similarities in academic offerings between SMU and Gimcheon University, including Nursing, Psychology, Education, and Social Welfare.

During the meeting, SMU also presented the University Research Center’s plans to launch an international journal and organize an international research conference. Opportunities for Gimcheon University faculty to serve as peer reviewers or co-hosts were discussed, with the university leadership expressing openness to collaboration.