SNU Dedicates ‘Jang Moo Lee Hall’ to Honor Former President’s Vision of Interdisciplinary Education
Once a forum for scholarly debate, the space is reborn as an open platform for creativity and convergence learning


▲ Front row (from left): Jin-Oh Kim, Emeritus Professor at Soongsil University; Young-Oh Kim, Dean of the SNU College of Engineering; Sung-Hoon Ahn, Director of the Institute of Advanced Machines and Design at SNU; Joon-Sik Lee, President of the SNU Alumni Association and former Deputy Prime Minister; Jang Moo Lee, former President of SNU and Professor Emeritus; Kyoil Lee, Professor Emeritus at SNU; Jungyeol Yoo, Professor Emeritus at SNU; Kiho Kim, Professor Emeritus at SNU; Jaeyoung Lee, former Dean of the College of Humanities at SNU and Professor of English Language and Literature; Junho Kang, former Dean of the College of Education at SNU and Professor of Physical Education; Chanil Park, Emeritus Professor at Kangwon National University; Hongjae Lim, former President of Kookmin University; Yeonjun Kang, Director of the Next-Generation Vehicle Research Center at SNU

Seoul National University recently held a dedication ceremony for “Jang Moo Lee Hall” at Building 313 of the Institute of Advanced Machines and Design (IAMD) on its Gwanak campus, honoring the achievements and educational philosophy of former SNU President and Professor Emeritus Jang Moo Lee, who laid the foundation for precision mechanical engineering in Korea and expanded academic boundaries.

The event was attended by leading figures from Korea’s engineering community, including Joon-Sik Lee, President of the SNU Alumni Association and former Deputy Prime Minister; Kunwoo Lee, President of DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology); Young-Oh Kim, Dean of the SNU College of Engineering; and Kyu Jin Cho, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The ceremony was organized to commemorate Jang Moo Lee’s academic contributions and educational philosophy, particularly his role in founding the Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, and to pass on his legacy to future generations.

Hosted by Howon Lee, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Sung-Hoon Ahn, Director of IAMD, followed by congratulatory speeches from Joon-Sik Lee and Kyu Jin Cho. A tribute speech was delivered by Yeonjun Kang, Director of the Next-Generation Vehicle Research Center and a former student of Jang Moo Lee, conveying deep respect and the enduring bond between mentor and student, which resonated strongly with attendees.

In his welcoming remarks, Sung-Hoon Ahn noted, “Originally a lobby space, Jang Moo Lee Hall has been newly renovated with support from the SNU RISE Program and will now serve both as a reception area for visitors and as an open educational space for lectures.” He added, “Starting this semester, interdisciplinary capstone design classes are being held here, making the open structure itself an educational experiment that fosters convergence and communication.”

He further explained the naming of the hall, stating, “While considering a name for this unique space, we naturally recalled the philosophy of former President Jang Moo Lee. His 2010 book Beyond the Wall, published upon his retirement, symbolizes the value of breaking down academic boundaries, which aligns closely with the identity of this space.”

In his remarks, Jang Moo Lee reflected on his past experiences engaging in rigorous discussions with international scholars in the same space, highlighting its historical significance. “It is deeply meaningful to see that a place once filled with intense academic exchange is now a space where students freely learn, interact, and cultivate creativity,” he said. “I hope this hall will not remain merely a place that commemorates the past, but will become a living space of learning where students can dream and find inspiration.”

Following the unveiling ceremony and commemorative photo session, participants gathered for a luncheon, where they exchanged views on the future of mechanical engineering in Korea and the cultivation of next-generation talent.

The newly established Jang Moo Lee Hall is expected to go beyond being a commemorative space, emerging as an open platform that breaks down walls and transcends disciplinary boundaries. Unlike conventional enclosed classrooms, the space is designed so that passersby in the corridor can observe classes, and it is also visible from the second and third floors. In addition, its open structure, which allows natural light through a skylight, offers a new learning environment where students can foster creativity while looking up at the sky. It is anticipated that future engineering talents studying and conducting research in this space will carry forward the interdisciplinary mindset and pioneering spirit emphasized by Jang Moo Lee.

Meanwhile, a development fund established by Jang Moo Lee for the Institute of Advanced Machines and Design and the Next-Generation Vehicle Research Center will be used to support international collaboration and talent development within the institute and the Department of Mechanical Engineering.