Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

On November 19, FIT held A Celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, a full day of panel discussions and performances featuring Indigenous designers and creatives. The special event was timed to Red Shawl Day, a day of remembrance honoring murdered and missing Indigenous people and Alaska Natives, especially women and children. FIT’s Social Justice Center cohosted the conference with 4KINSHIP, a retail brand and shop in New Mexico, founded by FIT alumna Amy Denet Deal, that sells sustainable clothing and accessories designed by Denet Deal and other Indigenous artists. Before founding her business in 2022, Denet Deal designed for major corporate brands, such as Reebok and Puma. She grew up in Indiana and was raised by an adoptive family, but always felt the desire to connect with her Navajo heritage. In 2019, she decided to move to New Mexico to start that journey. Click here to read the original article.

On November 14, 10 faculty members who took sabbaticals in the 2023–24 academic year presented on their projects in the Robert Lagary Board Room. FIT grants sabbaticals to full-time faculty members for work that augments their value to the college. Faculty might use the time away from teaching to write their doctoral dissertation, author a book, collaborate with other institutions, or complete a research project. Click here to read the original article.

  The Mechanical Engineering senior design group, CARmodynamics, won a bronze award at the 14th KSME Student Creative Design Competition (SCDC), organized by the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers (KSME). CARmodynamics consists of five Mechanical Engineering students: Jinkyu Lee, Yunjeong Kim, Hojin Song, Sooyeun Yang, and Sehyeon Jeong. They were selected as one of 15 teams, out of a total of 180 entries, to present at the competition. Their presentation addressed the growing problem of potholes and the need for efficient detection methods. The team developed an automated pothole detection system to replace current manual reporting methods, using a YOLO v5 deep learning model, GPS, and machine learning-based vibration analyses to accurately identify and document pothole locations. Testing was conducted with a custom-built electric vehicle, with structural integrity verified through Finite Element Analyses using ANSYS. The results validated each module's performance, demonstrating the system's potential to improve pothole detection and enhance road maintenance efficiency.    

Why Study Engineering? Many factors affect the engineering job market. These include local and global economic activities, industry trends, labor force supply and demand, and a changing need for new skills and education levels.  A report by Mordor Intelligence, cited by Yahoo Finance, highlights the high demand for global engineering services in the near future. The report cites a market size of $1.67 trillion in 2024, projected to grow to $2.04 trillion by 2029. This corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.20%. While the Asia Pacific region currently leads the market, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates. From the labor supply perspective, the high salaries in engineering play a significant role in encouraging college students to choose this field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineers had a median annual salary of $91,420 in May 2023, well above the median yearly wage for all professions, which was $48,060. Additionally, employment in engineering is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate from 2022 to 2032, with an estimated 188,000 new job openings each year.  The challenges of engineering education and the current gender gap, however, impact the supply of engineers. Despite some progress, only 16.5% of engineers globally are women. In Korea and the U.S., around 20% of STEM degrees are awarded to female students. Other factors impacting supply shortages are an aging workforce, a lack of interest in some conventional areas of engineering among younger generations, and the skill gap, a mismatch between the skills that emerging technologies require and the skills that some engineers have.  These issues highlight concerns about a potential shortage of engineers. According to a Boston Globe (BG) report, the U.S. requires around 400,000 new engineers yearly. The report estimates that nearly one in three engineering positions may go unfilled annually until at least 2030. This shortfall could impede progress in vital industries and impact government and industry initiatives to boost economic growth and competitiveness. The engineering talent shortage isn't limited to the U.S. The Japanese Ministry of Economy has forecasted a deficit of over 700,000 engineers by 2030, while the German Economic Institute reported a shortage of 320,000 STEM professionals in Germany as of April 2022, according to the BG report Another report from Engineering UK forecasts a 2.8% increase in engineering jobs in the UK by 2030, resulting in about 173,000 new positions. This growth rate is above the anticipated national average for all occupations, set at 2.3%. The demand for engineers is expected to surpass that of other professions, reflecting the country's significant need for engineering skills.  A recent article from NIKKEI Asia reported that companies like Samsung are increasingly hiring high school graduates as the competition for skilled engineering talent intensifies in South Korea. This comes even though, according to Statista Korea, South Korea graduated nearly 86,000 engineers and computer scientists in 2023. Engineering education quality differs from country to country. Recently, Insider Monkey, a financial data website, published a list of the 15 best countries to study engineering based on its "Insider Monkey Global Education Index." This index ranks countries by the number of universities in the top 1,000 QS World University Rankings and considers factors like government investment in higher education. South Korea, with 31 universities in the top 1,000, is ranked eighth, following Japan, Australia, Italy, Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which ranks first. Encouraging students to pursue engineering degrees is a notable challenge. Engineering roles are among the most intellectually rigorous, demanding constant problem-solving and innovation. The field's interdisciplinary nature requires a diverse skill set, as engineers must integrate knowledge from various domains to analyze, design, and optimize systems. While studying engineering can be highly rewarding, its difficulty may deter some talented students from choosing it as a major. To address these challenges, universities and educational institutions should foster supportive environments and develop balanced curricula focused on developing core skills and life-long learning strategies.   Click here to read the article.

  On November 6, 2024, SUNY Korea hosted a Distinguished Seminar by Mr. Horyun Jung, Director of General Motors Technical Center Korea Operations, where he led an informative discourse on virtual technology and its influence on product development and future prospects. The seminar took place in Academic Building C105, with students and faculty interested in the changing face of technology in business and engineering attending. Mr. Jung received his MBA from Seoul National University and BS in Product Design from Handong Global University. He has accumulated work experience for more than 20 years in General Motors while climbing the career ladder in engineering and design development. That foundational experience helped bring into focus the core of the seminar: how technological commercialization—namely, the use of virtual tools—is now shaking up industries. He provided examples from the automobile industry on how virtual technology improves efficiency and accelerates innovation in product development. The examples given during the seminar on crucial technologies, especially in the auto sector, where digital tools fast-track operations from design to production, were highly enlightening. Mr. Jung explained that virtual tools give the potential to make changes in real time, at a lower cost, and hence improve development. This helped the attendees understand the growing importance of such tools in the global quest for efficiency in product innovation. He also identified the skills and competencies required by the professionals of the future, given anticipated changes in technology and business practices, sharing with the students many gems on how to prepare for careers that would require adaptability, technical savvy, and awareness of virtual technologies. Overall, the seminar was a great opportunity for SUNY Korea students to gain insight into industry trends from a leading source in the field, allowing the attendees to see how technological advancement shapes the future of product development, and leaving them better prepared to meet the challenges in a rapidly changing job market.   Written by Student Reporter, Moldir Salim (moldir.salim@stonybrook.edu)  

  The 3rd Incheon Global Citizenship Education Festival was held on October 29th and 30th at the Songdo Convensia. The slogan for this year was "Read, Walk, Write-Based Education for Global Citizenship, Focusing on Peace and Coexistence in Incheon." This year’s event featured 80 booths run by various schools, organizations, and companies. SUNY Korea was represented by two student clubs: the International Student Association and Thé Former. The International Student Association played a guessing game and handed out refreshments, while Thé Former held a perfume making workshop. The clubs shared information about SUNY Korea and what it's like to be a student. Many interested high school students and parents stopped by to hear more about our unique program. The Global Citizenship Education Festival is held every year to give a global citizen experience to the people of Incheon. The majority of the attendees are elementary, middle, and high school students, along with people from influential organizations such as UNESCO. This festival is important because it allows people to broaden their horizons about the world and lets students start networking with people in different fields.    Written by Student Reporter, Alicia Garringer (alicia.garringer@stonybrook.edu)  

  Stony Brook University Interim President Richard McCormick was interviewed by Jonny Wincott of Stony Brook Athletics in a video that aired on SNY during halftime of the October 26, 2024 broadcast of the Stony Brook football Homecoming game against William and Mary. McCormick talked about his first few months as interim president, pointing to the “team spirit” that he has witnessed on campus from students, faculty and staff, and the “forward motion” the university has generated in advancing academic excellence and investing in important research. Click here to read the original article.  

  The United World Korean Women (UWKW) visited SUNY Korea on October 9th. On this day, SUNY Korea President Arthur Lee and Vice President for Administration and External Relations Pyung Ryun Yu met with United World Korean Women President Hyojung Lee and Secretary General Seyoung Park. Approximately 90 UWKW members toured the university's educational and research facilities and engaged in discussions about potential areas of collaboration between the two organizations. The United World Korean Women is a global network of Korean women actively engaged in various fields across the world, working to promote women’s empowerment and enhance their opportunities. Many of the delegation members emigrated in the 1970s and 1980s, making significant contributions to Korea’s development during challenging times while pursuing successful careers abroad. Among the members were those who had worked as nurses in Germany, along with other professionals in countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. SUNY Korea places great emphasis on the value of “Shared Prosperity,” living in harmony with others. Many years ago, South Korea was also a nation receiving help from many international countries, and now South Korea has developed to the point that it is capable of supporting developing countries. As an American university in South Korea, SUNY Korea shares its prosperity by selecting outstanding students from developing countries and providing scholarships for them to be able to receive high-quality education. In return, these students are empowered to become ‘History Makers’ who try to contribute to the advancement of their home countries. The delegation expressed strong agreement with these values and with exploring future possibilities for sustaining exchange and cooperation based on shared principles. President Arthur Lee remarked, “We are delighted to host such a distinguished group of Korean women leaders from around the world. I hope that this visit will not only strengthen the collaboration between our institutions but also lead to opportunities for broader global partnerships.”  

Scientists at Stony Brook University have completed their assessment of Long Island’s surface water quality, finding a record-setting 36 distinct ‘dead zones’ or regions with less than three milligrams of oxygen per liter during the Summer of 2024. From June through September, every major bay and estuary across Long Island was afflicted by harmful algal blooms (HABs), oxygen-starved dead zones, and/or fish kills. Excessive delivery of nitrogen from onsite wastewater has been established as a root cause of these disturbing events. Click here to read the original article.

  On Monday, October 21st, 2024, SUNY Korea students celebrated National Hanbok Day through a special campaign, held by FIT students, in honor of Korean traditional attire. All students, staff, and faculty were able to join and celebrate this day. The event showed the cultural meaning of hanbok combined with its fusion into modern forms, merging the timelessness of this garment with the most recent fashion trends. Established by the Korean government in 1996, Hanbok Day is dedicated to preserving Korea’s cultural heritage and strengthening generational connections. This year’s celebration at SUNY Korea went beyond the traditional wearing of hanbok, with students from the Fashion Design Department crafting innovative hanbok pieces that combined historical elements with modern practicality. Their designs aimed to reimagine hanbok as an everyday fashion staple while maintaining its deep cultural significance. Through this celebration, SUNY Korea reinforced its commitment to promoting Korea’s cultural heritage while inspiring innovation in fashion. The event provided an important platform for future generations to appreciate the beauty of hanbok and contribute to its continued relevance in the fashion world.   Written by Student Reporter, Moldir Salim (moldir.salim@stonybrook.edu)

  SUNY Korea officially opened its newly renovated library and student lounge on October 21, 2024. The renovation, which began at the start of the semester, provides more modern facilities and a better environment for studying and relaxing. The library now includes more seating, improved lighting, and modern furnishings, while the lounge has been redesigned with comfortable seating areas and study-friendly spaces. The renovated library and student lounge now provide a perfect space to prepare for their upcoming exams while also offering a place to relax.  The newly designed lounge is located on the first floor of the building. It gives students a space to relax and hang out with their friends. Now that the lounge offers more comfortable seating and a casual environment, students can unwind or catch up with friends in between classes.  The second and third floors serve as study zones. On the second floor, a reading lounge is available as well as several group study rooms for students studying together. The third floor is operated as quiet study zones, designed for those needing a more focused environment. Reservations are required for all seats, except for the window study zones on the third floor, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve seats or group study rooms, students can use the kiosks located on both the second and third floors. Reservation can be made for a maximum of four hours at a time.  A major change made in conjunction with the renovation is that both the second and third floors are now open 24 hours, giving students more flexibility in their study schedules. Just remember to bring your SUNY Korea student or faculty ID to enter the library!            Written by Student Reporter, Yeongeun Ahn (yeongeun.ahn@stonybrook.edu)  

On October 15, 10 students from the School of Graduate Studies’ Global Fashion Management MPS and Fashion Design MFA programs received Bob Fisch Graduate Scholarships of $5,500 each. Additionally, all the students in both programs received Graduate Scholarship Thesis Project Completion Grants of $1,000 from Fisch. Fisch, founder and former chairman and CEO of rue21, author of Fisch Tales: The Making of a Millennial Baby Boomer and Get a Life (an Amazon bestseller), and member of the FIT Foundation board of directors, is a longtime supporter of the college. The $5.5K Scholarship recipients were Global Fashion Management students Juliana Villegas Currea, Kathryn Duque, Gangothri Komareswaripeta, Jessica Schneider, and Jiayi Zhang, and Fashion Design MFA students Matilda Tongying Liang, Beckham Peng Han Lin, Lawson Park, Amrutha Ramkumar, and Kiki Wanjing Zuo. Click here to read the original article.

  On October 16th, SUNY Korea’s Museum of Modern Costume had the honor of opening its doors to showcase the work of Jaewon Park, a brilliant artist who has brought her Korean roots to life through fashion design. To celebrate the new exhibition, Resonance: 60 years of Jaewon Park’s Design Legacy, SUNY held a reception & ribbon cutting ceremony with faculty, staff, and students joining Jaewon Park in recognizing her remarkable career. The reception began with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Professor Linda Kim, during which 10 notable figures had the honors: Designer Jaewon Park, Museum Director Heisoon Shim, Vice Presidents Pyungryun Yu and Hamid Hefazi, Fashion Design Chair Mark-Evan Blackman, Fashion Business Management Chair Robin Baxter, President of the Fashion Group Korea Hyunmi Jang, and first-generation fashion designers of Korea, Taewook Jin, Eunhwan  Oh, and YounHyung Sul.  Following the ceremony, Heisoon Shim, Director of the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, commented on the historical weight of this exhibition, stating, “Jaewon Park has been a pioneering figure in the world of fashion, having made significant contributions to elevating the level of Korean artwear by organizing Korea's first international fashion art biennale in the 1900’s.” Vice President Dr. Pyungryun Yu added a congratulatory remark, noting that the exhibition “beautifully showcases the creativity of Korean fashion. Today we honor the incredible legacy of Jaewon Park . . . who has shaped Korean fashion.” The opening ceremony closed with words from Jaewon Park herself, who shared some insight into the story behind the essence of her designs: “I worked with the belief that the most Korean elements are the most global. I expressed myself . . . using traditional Korean materials such as ink, Hanji paper, and ramie fabric, which I later developed into products.” Jaewon Park has been closely knit into the fabric of Korea's fashion legacy, participating in various fashions tours all over the world, joining the Korean Chapter of the World Fashion Group in 1992, and being awarded Fashion Person of the Year at the 1st Fashion Awards in 1995. It is SUNY Korea’s joy to house this collection for everyone to see. The Resonance: 60 years of Jaewon Park’s Design Legacy exhibition is being held in two parts, with PART 1: Black & White from October 16, 2024 to November 11, 2024, and PART 2: Colors being showcased from November 27, 2024 through March 7, 2025. Held in Academic Building A, B-101, come experience Jaewon Park’s unique story for yourself through her iconic pieces.   Written by Student Reporter, Kenessa Washington (kenessa_washington@fitnyc.edu)  

  SUNY Korea participated in the recent IGC Career Day event, which featured a series of mentorship sessions led by professionals from various industries and companies. The event took place at the Incheon Global Campus on October 12, 2024, hosted by all four universities (SUNY Korea, George Mason Korea, Ghent University Global Campus, and Utah Asia Campus). It began with a special introductory lecture on recruiting trends in companies, followed by a total of 12 mentorship sessions covering diverse fields such as tourism, marketing, finance and accounting, life sciences and technology, global sales, entertainment, aerospace, mechanical engineering, product planning, data science, cosmetics, gaming, and the F&B industry. This event offered valuable information and resources that are crucial for students preparing to enter the job market. To wrap up the day, there was a raffle draw, where students had the chance to win prizes of 60,000 won and 100,000 won. Overall, the IGC Career Day was a significant opportunity for SUNY students to engage with industry professionals, gain insights into various career paths, and enhance their preparedness for future employment.    Written by Student Reporter, Onyinyechi Achi (onyinyechi.achi@stonybrook.edu)

  SUNY Korea will celebrate ‘Hanbok Day’ on October 21st as a new campaign with students from the Fashion Design Department at FIT. ‘Hanbok Day’ is a day to recognize the cultural significance of this traditional Korean attire, and to promote its preservation and development in fashion. This day was established by the Korean government in 1996, and it serves as an important occasion to honor Korea’s cultural heritage and strengthen bonds across generations. This day consists not only of wearing the hanbok, but goes beyond that into reviving the beauty of this Korean tradition with a modern touch. The Fashion Design Department at SUNY Korea FIT has come up with a variety of innovative ways to make Hanbok a more dearly loved attire in the fashion industry, contributing to its evolution from a traditional garment into a more modern and practical clothing. Through this project, the Fashion Design students have designed and crafted hanbok pieces, and invited students from Incheon to participate in this event. The event aims to provide an opportunity to learn and experience the history and values of the hanbok, so that the rich cultural heritage of Korea can be passed down to future generations.     In particular, this campaign will serve as a signicificant milestone as SUNY Korea FIT is taking the lead in celebrating Hanbok day and revitalizing Korean culture. FIT emphasizes that the hanbok should not only be worn on special occasions but also as a modern day clothing to demonstrate a new cultural identity and pride. Participation in this campaign is simple. Anyone can join by simply wearing a hanbok and sharing photos and stories on Instagram, hashtagging #HanbokDayFIT2024. Mark-Evan Blackman, the chair of the Fashion Design Department, stated, “I hope that everyone can take part in this journey of continuing to spread the importance and pride of the Hanbok to keep its legacy alive.”