On September 25, 2024, the grand opening ceremony of the Sejong Common Campus brought together many attendees, including government officials, university leaders, students, and local representatives, to mark a milestone in Korea’s educational landscape. The event, held at the Welcome Plaza of the Sejong Common Campus, symbolized a new chapter of collaboration and innovation across multiple universities, underscored by the presence of Prime Minister Duck-soo Han and other prominent figures.

The ceremony began with a moving salute to the flag and the singing of the national anthem, setting a tone of pride and unity. The themed video, highlighting the transformative vision for the campus, followed by the progress report on its construction, provided a glimpse of the state-of-the-art facilities and future opportunities for students. The declaration of the operational vision for the campus was delivered by the Director of the National Agency for Administrative construction (Heong-ryeol Kim), highlighting the goal of fostering interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and research.

A congratulatory speech was made by Prime Minister Han, and he commended the collaborative spirit of the universities involved in the Common Campus, including KDI School, Seoul National University, Korea University, Chungbuk National University, Hanbat National University, Chungnam National University and Kongju National University. He also emphasized the critical role this campus will play in shaping the leaders of tomorrow and reinforcing Korea's position as a global leader in education and innovation. The Mayor of Sejong City (Min-ho Choi) echoed these sentiments, calling the campus a symbol of what can be achieved when academia, government, and the private sector join forces. Other speeches were also made by the Chairman of the Common Campus Foundation (Seok-su Han) and National Assembly Member Jong-min Kim. They both affirmed how this great initiative will bring about an increase in the quality of education in the country. 

One of the most memorable parts of the event was the vibrant flag performance, where representatives from the seven universities, along with VIPs, took the stage to wave their university and slogan flags. This symbol of powerful unity and shared vision was accompanied by a stunning LED display, air shots, and fireworks, making it an unforgettable visual sight.

As the ceremony concluded with a commemorative group photo, the attendees' sense of achievement and excitement was evident. This campus is not just a place to attend classes; it is a shared space for students from various universities to grow together, collaborate, and shape the future. The Prime Minister, escorted by the Director, was then sent off before a select group proceeded to an internal tour of the Academic and Cultural Support Center, where they signed the guestbook, explored the facilities, and interacted with the staff, solidifying the beginning of this extraordinary endeavor.

This is not just the opening of a new campus; it is the start of a journey that will shape the future of education in South Korea. With the involvement of major universities, governmental support, and local engagement, the campus stands as a beacon of the future of education in Korea.

For the students, faculty, and attendees, this day marked the beginning of a collective journey to cultivate an environment where knowledge knows no boundaries. The Sejong Common Campus is more than a  place of learning – it is a testament to what can be accomplished when vision, ambition, and collaboration align.