The Korea National University of Heritage (President Kang Kyung-hwan) announced that on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, it held a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony and the opening ceremony of a ceramics exchange exhibition with Jingdezhen Ceramic University (President Lü Pinchang) at the Xianghu Campus in Jingdezhen, China.
This event was organized based on nearly 20 years of collaboration in the field of traditional arts and crafts between the two universities, following their initial MoU signed in 2004. The goal is to promote practical cooperation in academic exchange and expand joint international initiatives in the ceramics field.
Through the new MoU, the two institutions discussed sustainable collaboration strategies, including joint research in ceramics and traditional crafts, the expansion of exhibition and exchange programs, and enhanced faculty and student exchanges. They also explored ways to develop international educational initiatives rooted in traditional culture.
Immediately following the signing, a joint exhibition showcased ceramic works created by faculty and students from both universities. The exhibition provided a platform to share each university’s creativity and distinctivetechniques.
President Kang Kyung-hwan also delivered a special lecture on “Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection System and Policies.” In this speech, he presented an overview of Korea’s intangible cultural heritage, its institutional framework, transmission system centered on designated holders and trainees, and government support policies. Furthermore, he addressed pressing challenges, such as declining interest among younger generations and the aging of master artisans and emphasized the need for and potential of bilateral cooperation in the field of intangible heritage.
In his commemorative remarks, President Kang stated, “I hope this MoU and exhibition will serve as a foundation for deepening cultural exchange in ceramics and intangible heritage between our two countries and become a sustainable platform for sharing our expertise and educational resources.”
This event was part of the Korea National University of Heritage’s broader international education cooperation strategy and is expected to lead to joint curriculum development, short-term workshops, and expansion of the international intangible heritage network in the future.