STANDING WATER that does not flow meets the fate of stagnating, eventually. Streams and rivers can maintain fresh water because they are not stuck in one place. Imagine a sea without the movement of waves and ocean currents, blocked from other sources of water. An apparent example of such a sea is the Dead Sea, which is unable to support any living organism. This principle of nature is applicable to the human civilization and culture on the whole. Development of today's world is the fruit of innumerable interactions among diverse civilizations and cultures. We are living in an era of globalization, where the exchange of ideas, goods, and people is inevitable. The actors of such interchange between countries, societies, and organizations, have been none other than "people."
   At this point, let us take a look at the tendency of many prestigious universities in Korea regarding employment of new professors. Although no university would acknowledge the criticism that, when hiring new faculty, they consider if one is a graduate of the same school rather than academic achievement, results indicate otherwise. Such "faculty inbreeding" may well be one of the stumbling blocks obstructing Korean universities from becoming renowned in the world.
   Nevertheless, this retrograde tradition of faculty inbreeding has been challenged recently, through efforts to employ graduates of other universities as faculty members. Thus, this month's Cover Story looks into the meaning, reality, possible consequences, and prospects of overthrowing faculty inbreeding.
   Last month, Yonsei Univ. was ranked 151st in The Times Evaluation of World's Universities. Although it mounted up 52 steps from last year, it should be more ambitious. Now is the time that Yonsei make efforts to reform the past faculty employment custom, since professors are significant variables influencing the results of students. Through sincere deliberation, I hope Yonsei will embrace diversity in order to pursue further prosperity.

Kim Hwa-young (Editor-in-Chief)
annals@yonsei.ac.kr