VCU engineering faculty invited to Korean conference

By Lorraine Cichowski
VCU News Services

Two faculty members from VCU's School of Engineering have been invited to participate in an international technology conference planned for September's opening of the new library at Korea's Inha University.

VCU and Inha have been involved in an education and research exchange program since early 2001, when the presidents of both institutions signed an agreement of cooperation. That agreement already has resulted in one summer exchange program where two VCU engineering students studied and did research at Inha, and two Inha engineering students came to VCU.

The September conference at Inha, which is located about one mile from Seoul in the western part of Korea, is focused on information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology and energy and environmental technologies.

"Our exchange agreement with Inha is very important because it helps raise the visibility of the VCU name internationally, and that's important to us as we recruit more high- achieving international students for the School of Engineering," said Dean Robert J. Mattauch, Ph.D. "VCU has a great opportunity to increase its out-of-state enrollment by targeting the international market. Korea represents one of the fastest-growing economies globally, and that makes it a good source for motivated students for both our undergraduate and graduate programs."

One of those who will attend the conference is Anthony Guiseppi-Elie, Sc.D., VCU professor of chemical engineering, professor of emergency medicine and director of the Center for Bioelectronics, Biosensors and Biochips. The second VCU attendee will be chosen later.