The ‘2023 International Conference of ISAA and Leaders Forum (ICISAA)’ held by Sahmyook University, which celebrated its 117th anniversary with 128 sister universities worldwide to explore new development directions for future education, ended successfully.

‘2023 ICISAA’ is the first international academic conference of the International Society for Academic Advancement (ISAA), founded last year by Sahmyook University.

This academic conference was held in a mixed method of face-to-face and non-face-to-face at Sahmyook University campus from August 8th to 10th with the general theme of ‘Sharing Academic Inspiration with the World!’. About 600 scholars, experts, researchers, and students from 40 countries who are experts in various fields participated in academic exchanges.

On the 8th, Dr. Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Director of Education Department, began with a keynote speech on “Adventist education after the pandemic.” On the 9th, Dr. Richard Hart, President of Loma Linda University (USA), delivered a presentation on “Understanding the Basics of Adventist Health Care and New Strategies.” On the 10th, Dr. Je-seong Yoo, Director at Pitangui Clinic, gave a keynote speech on “The Future Challenge of Adventists.”

A Leaders Forum session was held for presidents and administrators of sister universities worldwide, titled “Revival + Survival in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Do-yeon Kim, director of Taejae University, who served as the Minister of Education, presented the theme “The Future of University Education,” Tae-young Kim, CEO of AI Factory CO., Ltd., an artificial intelligence platform company, discussed “The 4th Industrial Revolution and the Future of University Education,” Jin-young Choi, CEO of Korea Consultant at Minerva University, presented on the topic of “Future Talent and Future Education Viewed through Minerva University’, examining the future of university education in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution and suggesting insights.

The academic sessions were organized into 16 sessions in six categories: Humanities & Social Science, Health Sciences, Science & Technology, Culture & Arts, Religion and Theology, and Faith & Learning. Sixty-three scholars participated and presented on various topics.

△ Convergence Research of Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence △Lifestyle Changes for Addiction Recovery △Intercultural Pragmatics and Communication △Social Welfare Service △Development of management theory and practice △Physical therapy for movement and health △The present of pharmaceutical research △The present and future of bioindustry research for healthy life △The New Paradigm of Christian Mission in the Post-Corona Era △Worship Music: Past, Future, and Present were presented.

In addition, a poster presentation session was prepared to communicate and exchange academic research and institutions, organizations, and individuals internationally on special activities and programs. During the Next Generation of Academia session, young researchers, including university and high school students, presented various creative research papers and project results.

On the evening of the 9th at 7:00, a concert commemorated the academic conference at the 70th Anniversary Memorial Hall (Auditorium) on campus. Tenors Sung-kyu Park, Joseph Kang, Cheol-ho Kim, Dae-myung Cho, and Sun-young Park were the alumni who graced the university on the world stage.

President Kim Il-mok (ISAA president) said at the closing ceremony on the 10th, “I had a pleased and enjoyable time sharing academic and cultural exchanges with participants from all over the world over the past three days. I pray that ISAA will develop further, provide influential research results to many people and societies worldwide, successfully fulfill the mission entrusted to us, and glorify God.”

President Kim continued, “I dream and pray that our beginnings will become the light and salt in the world and give strength and courage to many people in need. ISAA will be a solid foundation for more effective missionary activities and excellent academic exchanges.”