MBA Freshmen Orientation Held… “Hope to become main actors of Korea Economy Society”    Face-to-face entrance ceremony in 4 years…Learn KU spirit and keen relationship    Korea University Business School (Dean=Sangyong Kim) Korea MBA (hereinbelow K-MBA) Finance MBA (hereinbelow F-MBA) Executive MBA (hereinbelow E-MBA) welcomed a total of 312 freshmen. K-MBA and F-MBA had their orientation in Seoul WalkerHill Hotel on February 4th, and E-MBA had two days orientation on February 10th in Incheon ParadiseCity Hotel.    On February 4th, K-MBA and F-MBA welcomed 262 freshmen through the orientation. K-MBA is the first, best MBA program for businessmen in Korea and F-MBA is an MBA program providing specialized education in finance. 209 freshmen from K-MBA and 45 freshmen from F-MBA participated in the event. Also, 33 K-MBA students and alumni along with 8 F-MBA students participated to welcome new students. KUBS Dean Sangyong Kim, Associate Dean Janghyuk Lee, Head Professor Taekyu Kim, Head Professor Beomjin Son, and K-MBA Alumni President and Secretary General attended. The ceremony was followed by greetings from KUBS Dean, course introduction, student council and alumni association introduction, team building, singing the cheering song, and unity activities.    KUBS Dean Sangyong Kim congratulated the future of KUBS freshmen on their new start at KU and showed how happy he is to host a face-to-face entrance ceremony in 4 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dean Sangyong Kim said, “ I am sure that K-MBA is the best program to cooperate and compete with the best-talented people in society and to build an expert network since it has more than 8,000 alumni.”. Also, he said, “F-MBA is also the first and best finance MBA program that can teach business theory and curriculum in response to rapidly changing finance trends.”. After that, he said, “ I feel happy to have this opportunity for freshmen to build keen relationships face-to-face.”. In addition, he mentioned that “I hope you keep in mind the intellects and toughness of KU and always feel proud of yourselves whenever and wherever you are.”     After the entrance ceremony, the event was followed by Off-Campus orientation. K-MBA and F-MBA introduced freshmen to each curriculum, student council, and alumni association. Students also introduced freshmen to many programs in Graduate School and know-how for life in Graduate School. After lunch and before dinner, there was a team-building program to break the ice and have a strong relationship to promote community spirit. After dinner, participants sang the cheering song to foster KU spirit and congratulate the entrance of freshmen. The student council and the alumni association cheered the new start of freshmen with the performance of KU cheerleaders and many unity activities. On the day, 262 freshmen became new members of Korea University and showed enthusiasm for study and school life.        2023 E-MBA Off-Campus orientation was held in Incheon Paradise City Hotel from February 10th (Fri) to 11th (Sat). Also, the E-MBA On-campus orientation was held on February 18th in LG-POSCO Building. E-MBA course is a master’s course for executives and managers over 10 years of career and established the first in Korea in 2003 to educate creative global CEO.   In the two days of Off-Campus orientation from February 10th (Fri), 50 freshmen from E-MBA 21st Class and guests including KUBS Associate Dean Janghyuk, Alumni President Lee HyungWoo, Head Professor Sijin Yoo,  Head Professor Daeki Kim participated the event. Also 20th Class of E-MBA students and alumni also participated.   The orientation started with a congratulatory address from KUBS Associate Dean Janghyuk Lee. In his address he said “E-MBA is a representative program for KUBS” and “KUBS will support the development of the members”. The orientation was followed by self-introduction from the freshmen in the 21st Class and 20th Class members welcomed new students. The evening session started with greetings from the 15th Alumni Association president Hyungwoo Kim and followed by a welcome video from the faculty and student council. After that, harmony and unity activities were followed with dinner.   E-MBA On-Campus orientation on February 18th (Sat) was held in Room 530 in LG-POSCO Building. KUBS Dean Sangyong Kim said in his congratulatory address, “KU E-MBA course is an expert curriculum to teach humanities and global knowledge that CEO must have.”, and said, “I hope you become a true social leader to spread a good influence and pioneer the future.”     The orientation event consisted of programs including  △ Introduction of E-MBA curricum and administrative affairs △Gender equity education △ Special lecutres on statistics (Prof. Kyungsam Park). Also the event was followed by △On-campus tour △ Special lectures on accounting (Prof. Kwanhee Yu) and ended after ‘Introduction and Q&A with 20th Class Alumni Association’.

2023 March KUBS Academic News   1. New faculty members appointed   Korea University Business School appointed 2 new faculty members including Professor Lee Kyuhan (MIS) and Professor Lee Jaemin (Business Management) from 2023 March.   Professor Lee Kyuhan received a bachelor’s degree in Business School and a master’s degree in MIS from Seoul National University. After he received a Ph.D. degree from University of Arizona in the United States, he had been an assistant professor at W. P. Carey School of Business – at Arizona State University since 2021. He was appointed as a KUBS MIS professor this March.   Professor Lee Jaemin received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Business School from Seoul National University. After he received a Ph. D. degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from INSEAD in France, he had been an assistant professor at Imperial College Business School in the United Kingdom since 2016. He was appointed as a KUBS Business Management professor.       2. Professor Yi Hansang         Professor Yi Hansang (Accounting) will leave his office for 3 years from this March 1st and start his position as the 9th President of the Korea Accounting Institute. Korea Accounting Institute is a higher organization of the Korea Accounting Standards Board (KASB) and Korea Sustainability Standards Board (KSSB) and Professor Yi will also serve as the chair of the two boards.   Also, Professor Yi will start his position as a private member of a private-public joint ESG policy conference (Hosted by the Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, joined by 8 government departments and private members) from this February. He will be consulting on pending issues regarding national ESG policy.

Park GiRam’s special lecture on student startups suggest a guide for beginning startups   The last special lecture of 2022 Fall Entrepreneurship Academy Lecture series, hosted by KUBS Startup Station(Director = Hojung Shin), was held on December 20th (Tue). STIPOP co-CEO Park GiRam gave a lecture on the topic of “Student startups and a guide for beginning startups.”     STIPOP provides emoticon services for online communication in the global market. CEO Park began the lecture by explaining about ‘Product Market Fit (PMF)’ which startups experience in their journey.   Mr. Park explained that PMF can be defined in a variety of ways. PMF can be defined as when a product satisfies consumers in a good market and achieves over 40% of retention. A CEO’s role differs depending on whether the firm achieves PMF, so he emphasized the importance of recognizing whether the firm is in a pre-PMF stage or PMF stage.    Mr. Park suggested a data-driven method to achieve PMF. A firm should recognize improvements to be made, consumer groups that benefit from the firm’s goods and services, and the specific benefits they provide to consumers by collecting data. This data can act as solid ground for achieving PMF.   He further explained detailed guidelines for startups. The lecture consisted of tips for beginning startups such as the importance of product development cycles, methods for filtering and gathering customer feedback, guides to setting goals for beginning companies, recruiting, team building, and scaling up items.     A Q&A session followed the special lecture. STIPOP co-founders Park GiRam and Cho Junyong both participated and received specific questions regarding the special lecture and their startup experience. One participant asked about tips on expanding the business abroad, and received a detailed response about the relationship with investors and the precise cost of establishing a corporation in the U.S.   The special lecture provided detailed, realistic advice on running early-stage startups to participants who aim to establish a startup on their own. 

2023 KUBS MBA Admissions Open   Global MBA, a program that nurtures global talent with expertise on the field - A personalized program that provides multiple degrees, exchange student programs etc. ‘CEMS MIM’ (12th in QS world university rankings) acquirable when graduating Global MIM   Korea University Business School (Dean=Professor Sang Yong Kim) is now accepting applications for 2023 MBA admissions. Admissions are open for two MBA programs: △Global MBA (G-MBA) △Global MIM (G-MIM). G-MBA is a compact, one year program that equip students with professional skills necessary to be global CEOs in the future. This program can be tailored to students’ wishes. Students may be an exchange student to more than thirty universities abroad for an additional semester after they complete the MBA program or acquire another degree by attending ESCP Business School France or EBS Business School in Germany for an additional year. The G-MBA program is designed to enhance understanding of business activities and develop global insights for those who wish to deepen their expertise, change career paths, start a business etc.  ▶ G-MBA program description (Click)   G-MIM is a program only run by KUBS in Korea. The first semester takes place in Korea University, and the second semester takes place in one of the CEMS partner schools. CEMS is a Global Alliance of leading business schools, where only one university can be affiliated in each country. Other CEMS member schools include △ Cornell University) △ The London School of Economics and Political Science △ HEC Paris △National University of Singapore. G-MIM requires an eight week internship abroad and three language certificates. Students can receive a CEMS MIM certificate if eligible. CEMS MIM ranks 12th in QS Masters in Management Rankings 2023.  ▶G-MIM program description (Click)   2023 KUBS MBA admissions has two application rounds. An admissions briefing session is scheduled for each round to provide detailed information about the programs and application process. The 1st round’s briefing session is scheduled on January 31st (Tue) and will be held both online and offline. Applications are received until February 17th (Fri). The 2nd round receives applications until March 24th (Fri) and the admissions briefing session is scheduled on March 2nd (Thu). For further inquiries on admissions, please contact the administration office (02-3290-5365).  ▶ Admissions - G-MBA              ▶Admissions - G-MIM       

KUBS Graduate School team awarded the Excellence Award on Financial Services Commission ‘D-Test Bed’     Korea University Business School (Dean=Sang Yong Kim) stated that Team ‘KUBS_FinBA’ (Academic advisor = Baeho Kim) finally won the ‘Excellence Award (Fintech Center Chairman Award)’ on ‘D-Test Bed’ hosted by Financial Services Commission.    ‘D-Test Bed’ is a test environment providing business that allows startups, and pre-entrepreneurs to prove business value and the realistic possibility of innovative Fintech ideas based on financial data.   Korea University Team ‘KUBS_FinBA’ including △Kiwoong Byun (KUBS Monetary and Financial Ph.D. candidate) △Jiyoung Park (KUBS MSBA 2nd Class Graduate) △Jusung Hong (KUBS MSBA 2nd Class Graduate) went through tests on the theme of ‘Developing Credit Evaluation Model using Insurance Information and Cost Benefit Analysis of Financial Accommodation Policy’. Through this test, the team analyzed from a statistical and economic perspective that insurance information can be useful when developing an alternative credit evaluation model based on machine learning using financial/non-financial combined information, and credit/insurance information provided by D-Test Bed. Also, the team provided a useful methodology to related policymakers, after going through quantitative proof on cost-effectiveness essential for accommodation policy targeted at financially excluded groups.   The Financial Services Commission selected a total of 31 participating teams after recruitment and evaluation last August. Based on the result reports and presentations submitted by each team, the final 6 teams have been awarded after evaluation from internal/external judges. The Grand Prize was awarded to ‘AnTok’ which proposed a detailed assessment model for small or medium-sized businesses’ credit risks. ‘WinkStonePartners’ which proposed an alternative credit assessment model applicable to Indonesia awarded the Excellence Award along with ‘KUBS_FinBA’. The Participation Award was awarded to Overtake Corp. Finnebo Corp. SmallTicket.  Prof. Kim who advised the team said “It was a meaningful time to apply various data, which is accessible through D-Test Bed participation, into academic research methodology and lead to policy implications. He also said, “I will keep participating in various projects to prove innovative ideas with passionate students.”    To meet the needs of the new times of digital transformation, KUBS introduced ‘MS in Business Analytics(MSBA)’ for the first time in Korea in 2020 to educate integrated business talent with knowledge of Business Analytics, data design, utilization, and information ethics. 

Final Presentation of the MSBA 3rd Capstone Project Held: Business Models and Solutions Proposed for the Digital Transformation Era.   MSBA’s 3rd Capstone Project Presentation held A platform for Industry-Academia Cooperation Network and Discussion   2022 MSBA 3rd Capstone Project Presentation was successfully held at LG-POSCO Building on the 16th and 17th of January. KUBS CDTB (Center for Digital Transformation & Business; Director= Jaehwan Kim) hosted this event to contemplate about business tasks that arise in the Digital Transformation era. Students devised business models using data provided by cooperating businesses, which were evaluated by corporate staff and professors based on the model’s prospects. This event was held both online and offline.     A total of nine teams presented to KUBS professors and cooperating businesses such as △ Korea Credit Information Services △Hanmi Pharmaceutical △ HS Ad & LG Display △ LG H&H △LG CNS. After their presentation, each team received comments from corporate partners and professors, followed by an announcement of the results. Four out of nine teams presented on the first day of the Capstone Project Presentation. Team 1 (Kim Yejin, Kim Hyejin, Jin Zhenlan) presented on the topic of ‘A marketing strategy and effectiveness prediction model to raise gamer awareness on OLEDs.’ Team 1 pointed out that sales data could not be immediately used to evaluate marketing activities, and successfully designed a model that predicted the effectiveness of advertisements and developed it as a web application. A staff of HS Ad & LG Display commented that “this presentation has many items that we can utilize in practice” and praised the students by saying, “we will soon invite them as guest speakers.”      Team 2 (Ji Saein, Choi Yeonsu) presented on the topic of ‘A study on the effect of fulfilled attributes on consumer satisfaction.’ This team devised a KANO model that compares the attributes emphasized by a company and the attributes that consumers mention and pointed out the model’s possible usages and extensibilities. LG H&H commented that “this approach was never attempted in the firm, but our data machine learning team considers it as a very meaningful model with potential for growth.” Team 2’s advisor, Professor Shijin Yoo said, “it was a difficult process for a complicated brand but the students did a great job.” He further mentioned that “predicting with data and extracting business insight in a balanced manner is very important. This is what differentiates business from statistics or industrial engineering and should be the aim of the MSBA program.”     Team 3 (Ko Sehyun, Kim Dodam, Ha Sangho) cooperated with Korea Credit Information Services (KCIS) and gave a presentation on the topic of ‘the attributes affecting the default rate of savings bank borrowers’ lending at medium interest rate’. This study proved that insurance credit information can be used as alternative data for predicting defaults. A KCIS staff commented, “we asked for a savings bank borrower-centered study, and this exceeded our expectations. Based on this research, we will contemplate to discover more variables and approaches to this issue.”     Team 4(Yoon Sungjae, Kim Seokwon, Cheon Myungjun) presented about ‘an analysis on defaulting borrowers for rebound financial aid.’ This team classified users with bad credit scores and successfully improved the model for credit evaluation and rebound financial aid. A KCIS staff said, “We did not provide data of current credit scores and thus it would have been difficult to pick out users with bad credit scores. It was impressive to see the team set their own criteria to filter users. We will discuss more about providing our data to more institutions.” Professor Joon Ho Hwang complimented the team by saying, “Predicting and analyzing whether a user that defaulted can recover is an important research question. This study is very meaningful since it acts as a starting point for further research.”   On the second day, the five teams that collaborated with LG CNS and Hanmi Pharmaceutical gave their presentations. Team 5 (Kim Hyoeun, Kim Hyesun) presented on the topic of ‘Optimization of DPS inventory through association analysis.’ This team recognized that speeding up the sorting process is a critical task for the e-commerce industry. With association analysis, team 5 discovered key variables that directly affect the acceleration of shipping speed in DPS(Digital Picking System). An LG CNS staff complimented that “it would have been difficult to conduct a study alongside with a busy schedule of six modules. It’s common for researchers to get obsessed in their methodology, rather considering their clients’ needs. I hope the team continues to find solutions by focusing on business problems.”   Team 6 (Kang Seungyeon, Park Yeonseo, Jang Hanbyol) analyzed customer traits and behavioral data and presented on ‘A Target marketing strategy derived by LG CNS marketing data analysis.’ The team analyzed marketing in B2B(Business-to-Business) environments and researched about lead generation from potential customers. Team 6 emphasized that “marketing is less emphasized in B2B and considering that LG CNS provides IT services, this is the first study that fits LG CNS’s unique needs.” An LG CNS staff commented that “it’s true that it has been only two years since B2B marketing began. Due to lack of data, we were concerned about whether our marketing was effective. This collaboration has been quite successful and has provided a good basis for setting marketing plans for this year.” Professor Jaehwan Kim said, “during the project, we were concerned that a slight miss in our suggestions would result in a huge financial burden. The project was successful thanks to the advice and insight of the LG CNS marketing team.”     Team 7 (Kim Hyungjun, Hong Subin, Kim SeoA) presented on the topic of ‘Sensing and predicting new technology trends.’ The team collected and analyzed data regarding rechargeable batteries and predicted 25 promising new technologies. An LG CNS staff said, “We had not been able to be the first-movers to adapt to new technologies, which cost us to lose dominance in the market. This study focuses on rechargeable batteries, but can be expanded to any field for trend sensing. We hope to nurture new businesses by further improving this useful technology.”     Team 8 (Kim Hyunkyung, Ryu Jiwon, Yoo Jiho) collaborated with Hanmi Pharmaceutical and presented about ‘Designing a model for detecting side effects through SNS crawling.’ This team trained a model that classified medicine side effect reports and constructed a process that derived insights. Team 8 emphasized that “unlike others, this research preprocessed information extracted from raw user review data on various medications.” Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s strategy team said, “We were worried for not being able to set a research topic in the first meeting. This research seems useful since there are marketing strategies that use mining techniques. We want to commend the researchers for their hard work and results.”       Team 9 (Ahn Yoojung, Choi Jonghyun) presented on the topic of ‘The effects of medicine reclassification policies on medicine sales.’ This team used a differences-in-differences method to analyze the effects of medicine reclassification policies and suggested strategies based on the results. A staff of Hanmi Pharmaceutical commented, “much of pharmaceutical data contained unfamiliar variables but the team handled it well. This research can be used in various categories other than medicine reclassification policies.”   All nine teams were accepted for the project. The organizer of the event, BA area chair Professor Baeho Kim said, “the Capstone Project is the core of MSBA. I am looking forward to seeing our students improve. This event was made possible by the hard work and effort of many people.”  Professor Kim concluded the event by thanking those who participated.    Meanwhile, the award ceremony for the best presenting group of the MSBA Capstone Project was held on Wednesday, February 8. The best groups are △Group 1 (Hye-sun Kim, Hyo-eun Kim) △Group 7 (Ye-jin Kim, Hye-jin Kim, ZHENLAN JIN) and △Group 9 (Yu-jeong Ahn, Jong-hyun Choi).   (Clockwise from top left) Jong-hyeon Choi, Professor Baeho Kim, Dean Sang Yong Kim, Area Chair Hyun Seok Lee, Professor Jae Hwan Kim, Ye-jin Kim, Yu-jeong Ahn, Hye-jin Kim, Hyo-eun Kim, ZHENLAN JIN, Hye-sun Kim