International School of Urban Sciences, University of Seoul

Case Study on the Policy Management in Seoul: Seoul Case Study Program (SCSP) is a part of the effort of Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) to foster international cooperation. It was established by signing MOUs with 11 universities in the United States(U.S.) in 2010 and with the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom(The U.K.) in 2012 for the purpose of promoting Seoul’s successful city policies and establishing a global network to provide young scholars with a body of knowledge regarding policy issues in Seoul. The program is designed as a 7-day study abroad program for the U.S. and U.K. universities to visit Seoul, one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

In partnership with the University of Seoul (UOS), SMG designed and launched the SCSP for graduate students in public administration and urban sciences to experience and understand Korea’s politics, economy and culture during their stay in one of Asia’s largest, most modern and progressive cities. The program provides a window of opportunity for academic cooperation, and exchange of ideas for the management of modern mega cities featuring the following topics: Urban Planning / E-government / Welfare / Housing / Green Policy / Human Resource Management System and etc.

Since its establishment in 2010, ten universities from the U.S. and one from U.K. have been participating in the program. As of Oct 2014, 378 participants from twelve universities have completed the program and the result has been evidently positive as an increasing number of universities have shown their keen interest in joining the program.

International School of Urban Sciences (ISUS) at UOS serves as a platform for implementing the SCSP. ISUS at UOS is responsible for managing the program and two staffs are dedicated to the management of the program. The program runs three times a year in March, May, and October.