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/ 

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