[News Article] AMCHAM spotlights education infrastructure as key to S. Korea’s Asia-Pacific hub succ…
AMCHAM spotlights
education infrastructure as key to S. Korea’s Asia-Pacific hub success
Dulwich
College Seoul highlights role of foreign schools in attracting FDI
By
Kim Seo-young & Kim Mi-geon, THE CHOSUN Daily - The American Chamber of
Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) held its sixth annual Doing Business in Korea
Seminar at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on April 23, themed “Key Policy Agenda to Make
Korea a Regional Headquarters.” South Korean and U.S. officials, policymakers,
and business leaders attended the event to discuss strategies to enhance
Korea’s position as a competitive business hub in the Asia-Pacific region. One
key discussion point was the crucial role of international education in
attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Korea. Dulwich College Seoul, a
leading international school, emphasized the importance of such institutions in
making Korea a top destination for global firms. Paul
Smith, Director of Business Administration at Dulwich College Seoul, shared
that top-tier professionals often prioritize cities offering excellent
educational opportunities for their children, underscoring the critical role
such institutions play in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). He
highlighted that educational supply-demand imbalances, such as long waiting
lists and oversubscription at international schools in Seoul, create
uncertainty for global professionals considering relocation, which can
potentially affect recruitment and deter foreign investment. Smith cautioned,
“Without adequate educational provisions, Seoul and Korea risk losing the
current window of opportunity to become a regional hub for FDI to alternative
destinations.” Smith
also noted that while Seoul’s traditional competitors like Hong Kong and
Singapore face challenges such as geopolitical shifts and high living costs,
emerging contenders like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and notably Dubai are
leveraging the strength of their international school industries to lure global
investment. “Seoul stands at a critical juncture, with a small window of
opportunity to navigate these dynamics and emerge with a competitive edge in
the global market,” he said. To
capitalize on this opportunity, Smith called for proactive collaboration
between government, businesses, and educational institutions to tackle
immediate enrollment challenges and promote long-term stability and growth
within Seoul’s foreign and international school sector. “Through partnerships
and collaboration, we can explore strategies that not only address immediate
enrollment challenges but also foster long-term stability and growth within
Seoul’s foreign and international school sector,” he concluded. Dulwich
College Seoul, known for its rich British heritage, serves a diverse student
body of 700 pupils aged 3 to 18 from 46 different countries. The school offers
a comprehensive curriculum that includes the British National Curriculum,
IGCSE, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. One of the
school’s standout features is its holistic curriculum, encompassing various
disciplines. Many alumni are said to credit this curriculum with preparing them
to assume leadership roles on a global scale. School officials emphasize that
the institution operates with the active involvement of staff and the entire
student body. They maintain an open-minded approach, actively soliciting and
incorporating feedback from students and parents into their teaching
methodologies. Source:
https://www.chosun.com/english/2024/04/29/4KOGWSXFEFAEDNORQIEI3YXMFI/
2024.05.02
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