DR. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India, gave an address on Feb. 7 at Baikyang Hall about "University Education and National Development". As part of the NEAN (North East Asian Network) Yonsei Leadership Forum 2006, the special lecture was arranged to promote cooperation among North East Asian countries.

  As one of the world's preeminent scientists, Pres. Kalam highlighted the link between science, technology and economic development. He stressed the importance of good education and listed five fields necessary for students to create a knowledgeable society and lead to national development: research and inquiry, creativity and innovation, use of high technology and entrepreneurial and moral leadership. He also suggested creating a "Virtual University Grid" by networking the universities of Korea and India to provide the best possible education and ensure a collaborative but competitive learning environment.

  Students from Northeast Asia filled the auditorium and greeted the speaker afterward with questions about the lecture. "It was a good opportunity for me to recognize the relationship between Korea and India, which I hadn't known much about before," remarked Kim Hae-yoon (Jr., Dept. of Law). Under the main premise of "Resolving Conflicts for Prosperity in Northeast Asia", the NEAN 2006 forum was held at Yonsei Univ. from Feb. 5 to 11.