aSSIST University was founded in 2004 as the first-ever school in Korea that exclusively offers master’s and doctoral business administration programs. It is at the cutting edge of graduate business education in Korea and has grown steadily in every respect past two decades.
The school is particularly noted for its international collaborations. Students can earn dual degrees through the university’s partnerships with world-class institutions, including Aalto University in Finland; Franklin University Switzerland and Business School Lausanne, both in Switzerland; Birkbeck, University of London in the U.K.; and the State University of New York at Stony Brook in the U.S.

The recent launch of the Seoul AI School, aSSIST University is a testament to our commitment to AI talent development, as well as to our being the first mover in the face of challenges, embracing change and seizing new opportunities.

There is growing concern and talk that universities are on the brink of crisis. The so-called demographic cliff is often blamed for it. The population of traditional college-age students is indeed shrinking, but the rising life expectancy underscores the necessity and importance of education at all ages. Universities are also facing increasing criticism that their curricula increasingly fail to meet the needs of ever-evolving society. Yet, this issue can be addressed by meticulously tuning university programs to the demands of the times.

Being a pinnacle of educational excellence, aSSIST University is unrivaled in effectively addressing those two challenges. As a specialized institution for master’s and doctoral programs under the banner of lifelong education, the university effectively reads and responds to the times and features an outstanding array of faculty, students, staff, and programs calibrated to the demands of the evolving modern society. More specifically, the university has the following distinctive strengths:

First, aSSIST University offers lectures of unmatched caliber. Universities typically draw on their in-house faculty for teaching, but aSSIST University invites distinguished guest lecturers from home and abroad as the needs arise.

Second, students at aSSIST University are extremely motivated. With a seasoned wealth of real-world experience, our students know deep in their hearts why they need to pursue their studies with the greatest fervor. Their passion for learning is elevated even further by aSSIST University’s strong emphasis on thorough and comprehensive education.

Third, the staff at aSSIST University exemplify excellence in service. The staff members in charge of lecture support assist professors, communicate with students, and engage in post-lecture discussions to ensure the on-going improvement of lectures.

Fourth, aSSIST University emphasizes interdisciplinary convergence in its programs. Notably, AI, which is today’s big thing and is shaping a new future for all, is incorporated into all of our subjects to varying degrees. This enables us to provide in-depth programs that are marked by a rich academic convergence and adeptly meet the demands of the new era.

Confucius famously stated, “At 15 my heart was set on learning; at 30 I stood firm; at 40 I had no more doubts.” This wisdom resonated over 2,500 years ago, but it no longer holds true today. Nobody is expected to academically stand firm within 15 years, and at the age of 40, individuals grapple with life’s overwhelming complexities and uncertainties more often than not. We can never expect to reach a destination in our quest for knowledge even after 15 years of study; a journey of lifelong education is now a new life style for everybody. In this new educational landscape, aSSIST University has been, and will remain, the most exemplary pioneer and innovator.

Number of Students (Number of International Students)

※ Note: Students in the integrated Master’s and Doctoral program are counted as Doctoral students, including those exceeding the enrollment quota.

Status of Exchange with Foreign Universities

Faculty Status (Number of Foreign Faculty

※ Note: The president is excluded from the number of full-time faculty.

• 2023

  • OctMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) is inked with Jilin Normal University, China.
  • SepHonorary doctorate is awarded to Pekka Metso, Ambassador of the Embassy of Finland in Korea.
    Master’s engineering courses open in China.
  • JulHonorary doctorate is conferred on Kim Hildebrant, Chairman, Franklin University Switzerland (FUS).
  • JunHWY-CHANG MOON is inaugurated as the 10th President.
  • MayMOU is signed with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), US.
    MOU is finalized with the King Sejong Institute Foundation.
  • AprMOU is executed with UNITAR.
    Honorary doctorate is granted to former Deputy Prime Minister Myung Oh.
  • MarAI & Convergence Engineering, AI & Arts Management, and AI & Fintech programs are launched.
    Dual PhD program is launched in partnership with Birkbeck, University of London, UK.

  2022

  • DecMOU is signed with Birkbeck, University of London, UK.
  • NovEstablishment of an AI-specialized graduate school is approved.
    MOU is made with Jiangsu University of Technology, China.
    MOU is sealed with the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK).
  • OctHonorary doctorate is bestowed onto Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.
  • SepMOU is entered into with People’s Daily Online Korea.
  • MayMOU is finalized with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).
  • AprMOU is established with 외연양성센터, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).
  • MarMOU is inked with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.
    MOU is sealed with Tajikistan University of Technology.
    MOU is signed with Tajik National University.
  • JanMOU is finalized with International Education Center, Dalian University of Foreign Languages (DLUFL), China.

  2021

  • DecMOU is entered into with the Korean Professional Engineers Association.
  • JunTaeHyun Kim is reappointed as the 9th President.
  • MayMOU is made with the China Advertising Association.
  • MarDual PhD program is launched in partnership with Franklin University Switzerland.

  2020

  • DecThe Korean Language Institute opens.
  • SepDigital Finance EMBA program is launched.
    AI Strategic Management EMBA program is launched.
    MOU is signed with Minerva University, US.
    Doctoral business administration courses open in China.
  • JunMOU is sealed with Franklin University Switzerland for a dual MBA degree program.
    MOU is sealed with Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) for short-term training courses.
  • MarIndustry-academia cooperation accord is signed with KOTRA.

  2019

  • DecMOU is finalized with the Korea Coach Association.
  • OctSeoul Academy is renamed as Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies (aSSIST).
  • JunTaeHyun Kim is reappointed as the 8th President.
  • MarAI Crypto MBA program is inaugurated.

  2018

  • DecMOU is made with National Economics University (NEU), Vietnam.
  • OctMOU is signed with Hebei GEO University, China
  • JulMOU is sealed with the University of International Business and Economics, China.
  • JunCHO Wan-kyoo is inaugurated as Chairperson of the Seoul Academy board of directors.
  • AprHonorary doctorate is accorded to Lee Hee-beom, President of the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games and Honorary Chairperson of the aSSIST CEO Forum Alumni Association.
    MOU is singed with ExVillage.
  • MarGuk-Seop Yoon, Board Chairperson of Seoul Academy, passes away.
    MOU is inked with Xi’an University of Finance and Economics, China.
    Digital Strategic Planning MBA program is introduced.
    Dual PhD program is launched in partnership with Business School Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • FebMOU is executed with Business School Lausanne, Switzerland for a Big Data dual degree program.

  2017

  • SepMOU is inked with Business School of Lausanne, Switzerland.
    MOU is signed with Brunel University London, UK
  • AugTuula Teeri, Aalto University President, is awarded honorary doctorate.
  • JunTaeHyun Kim is inaugurated as the 7th President.
  • MarAn MBA program is launched in China.
  • FebFinland Tower is completed in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

  2016

  • DecMOU is executed with Lanzhou University, China.
  • OctTalent development agreement is made with Korea Foreign Company Association (FORCA)
    Doctoral Alumni Association inks an academic cooperation agreement with National Economics University (NEU), Hanoi, Vietnam.
  • JunHonorary doctorate is awarded to Matti Heimonen, Ambassador of the Embassy of Finland in Korea.
    MOU is signed with Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China.
  • JanMOU is signed with ASIS International.
    MOU is signed with the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA).

  2015

  • DecGlobal hedge fund expert training agreement is formalized with ANDA Asset Management for alternative investment training.
    MOU is established with Mingzhong International Education Group, China.
  • AugMOU is made with Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), China.
    MOU is signed with the Ministry of National Defense in information and research areas.
  • AprMOU is signed with Shandong University, China.
  • MarBig Data MBA program is launched.

  2014

  • DecIl-Sup Kim is reappointed for a second term as the 6th President.
  • NovMOU is signed with Ural State University of Economics (USUE), Russia.
  • JulIndustry-academia cooperation agreement is inked with the Korean CEO’s Association of. Multinational Corporations (KCMC).
  • JunMOU is made with the Korea Financial Planner Association for development of specialized financial education programs.
  • MaraSSIST receives the KRIVET* President Award, a special award in the education category of the 2014 Korea HRD Awards by the Human Resource Development Association (HRDA).*KRIVET: Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training
  • FebVision making workshop is held to mark the 10th anniversary of aSSIST University.

  2013

  • OctDual degree program by aSSIST and Aalto University, Finland, is ranked 85th in the 2013 Global E-MBA list by The Financial Times of the UK.
  • JunMOU is signed with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, US.
  • MayaSSIST Forum is launched.
  • MaraSSIST University receives the HRDK* Chairperson Award in the educational institution category of the 2013 Korea HRD Awards by the Human Resource Development Association (HRDA).
    * HRDK: Human Resources Development Service of KoreaK-WAY Management 3.0 CEO Course is launched.

  2012

  • DecIl-Sup Kim is inaugurated as the 5th President.
  • OctKorea’s first-ever MBA focused on sales innovation is instituted.
  • MayaSSIST University participates in the 7th Jeju Forum, a comprehensive international platform.
  • MaraSSIST University receives Grand Prize in the educational institution category of the 2012 Korea HRD Awards by the Human Resource Development Association (HRDA).
    OU is executed with Macromedia University for Media and Communication, Germany

  2011

  • SepNam Sik LEE is inaugurated as the 4th President
  • AugMOU is made with the Korea University School of Cybersecurity (SCS) for IS-MBA (Industrial Security MBA)
  • JulyHonorary doctorate is conferred upon Yoon-Shik Park, professor at George Washington University.
  • MayaSSIST and the Jeju Peace Institute (JPI) co-organize the 6th Jeju Forum, a comprehensive international platform.
  • MarMOU is made with China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).
  • JanBook Fun and Easy Ethical Management 2 is published.

  2010

  • OctSustainable growth agreement is inked with the Jeju Peace Institute (JPI)
  • SepMOU is signed with the School of Economics and Management of the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS)
  • AugustIndustry-academia cooperation group is launched.
  • JulMOU is finalized with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry to open a contracting department.
    Dual degree agreement is established with the State University of New York.
  • JunDual degree agreement is established with Aalto University (formerly Helsinki School of Economics), Finland.
    aSSIST CEO Forum is launched.
  • MayHwa Soon Hong takes office as Vice President and Acting President
    aSSIST’s industrial security professional (ISP) program is registered as a private certifier.
  • Apr4Ts-oriented CEO course on green growth is introduced.
  • Mar4Ts-oriented course for next-generation leaders is launched.
  • FebaSSIST University receives Grand Prize in the education institution category of the 2010 Korea HRD Awards by the Human Resource Development Association (HRDA).
  • JanaSSIST University is designated as a green growth educational institution by the Presidential Committee on Green Growth.

  2009

  • OctaSSIST University is ranked in ASPEN’S GLOBAL 100: Beyond Grey Pinstripes 2009-2010 in the category of ethical management and corporate social responsibility education.
  • SepGraduate School of Leisure Management at aSSIST is inaugurated.
    Industrial security professional (ISP) course is introduced.
  • JunBook Fun and Easy Ethical Management is published.
  • AprHonorary doctorate is awarded to Chan Ki Hahn, professor at Bowling Green State University.
  • MarEun-Key Yoon is reappointed as the 3rd President.
    Honorary doctorate is awarded to Yacov Shamash, Vice President for Economic Development, the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
    IS-MBA (Industrial Security MBA) course is launched.
  • FebHonorary doctorate is conferred upon Moon Kyu-young, Chairman of Aju Group.
  • JanDual degree agreement is made with George Mason University, US.

  2008

  • NovMOU for an industrial security MBA program is established with the National Industrial Security Center (NISC) under the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
  • MayClimate Change Leadership course is launched.
  • FebHonorary doctorates are conferred upon Eero Kasanen, Rector of the Helsinki School of Economics, and upon Man-deuk Lee, Chairperson of Samchully.
    aSSIST personnel volunteer to help clean up the oil spill off the Taean Peninsula.
  • JanExecutive MBA program of Aalto University (formerly Helsinki School of Economics) attains Triple Crown status by acquiring EQUIS in addition to the AACSB and AMBA accreditations that it has already achieved.

  2007

  • MarEun-Key Yoon is inaugurated as the 2nd President.
  • JanAalto University (formerly Helsinki School of Economics) is accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

  2006

  • FebExchange agreement is made with Colorado State University, US.
    Exchange agreement is inked with Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), China.
    Honorary doctorates are conferred upon Veikko Jaaskelainen, President of Helsinki School of Economics, and upon Suk-geum Yun, Chairman of Woongjin Group.

  2005

  • SepPh.D. program in business administration is instituted.
    4Ts-oriented CEO course for sustainable management is launched.
    Exchange agreement is inked with Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, Taiwan.
  • AprStudents exchange with Zhejiang University, China is initiated
  • MarFinancial Engineering MBA course is launched.
    Approval is granted for the operation of an affiliated lifelong education center.

  2004

  • DecExchange agreement is signed with the University of Akron, US.
    Exchange agreement is signed with EDHEC Business School, France.
    aSSIST is recognized as the best MBA program in Korea in the 2004 Financial News Top Pride Rankings.
  • NovExchange agreement is made with National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan.
  • MarGlobal Leadership (business leadership) MBA program is introduced.
  • JanAalto University (formerly Helsinki School of Economics), Finland achieves AMBA (Association of MBAs) accreditation.
    Education programs of the education division of the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS) are transferred to aSSIST University.

  2003

  • DecDavid N. Smith takes office as the inaugural President.
  • NovEstablishment approval is granted for the Seoul School of Integrated Sciences & Technologies

  2002

  • AprSeoul Academy is founded

  1999

  • JanCollaborative MS-TM program is launched in partnership with the State University of New York at Stony Brook

  1995

  • JanJoint MBA program is launched in partnership with Aalto University (formerly Helsinki School of Economics), Finland

• Location

  • Address (03767) 46, Ewhayeodae 2-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea aSSIST University
  • Representative 82-70-7012-2700
  • Fax 82-70-7016-2700

  subway station

  • Ewha Womans University Station2Exit 43 to 5 minutes on foot.
    Finnish Tower Elevator Boarding
    After getting off on the 4th floor, pass the parking lot on the right and aSSIST building.

  private car

  • Go straight about 50m from exit 3 of Ewha Womans University Station and turn right at the first alley.
    Daishin Elementary School enters the parking lot of aSSIST on the right after passing the Korea Broadcasting Arts Promotion Agency.
    The parking space is small, so please use public transportation as much as possible.