Demetrios Sarantis extended his visit to South Korea with a trip to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon on May 22, 2025, where he shared local e-government research with graduate students and explored potential collaborations.
Sharing Knowledge with the Next Generation
At KAIST's School of Business and Technology Management, Dimitris delivered a lecture on Local e-Government Assessment to about 15 graduate students. The session focused on how local governments can measure and improve their digital services, drawing from UNU-EGOV's experience with the Local Online Services Index (LOSI) and real-world examples from around the globe.
The students, who are studying at one of South Korea's most prestigious technology universities, engaged with questions about how assessment tools can help bridge the gap between innovation and practical government implementation. This kind of direct engagement with emerging leaders in technology and management helps spread awareness of local e-government research beyond academic circles.
Building Academic Connections
Demetrios met with Professor Han SeungHun, who heads the School of Business and Technology Management and serves as Dean of the Graduate School of Global Digital Innovation. Their discussion covered how universities can contribute to better understanding of digital governance challenges facing local governments worldwide.
The visit also included a meeting with Professor Doo-Hwan Bae, Director of KAIST's Software Education Center. Professor Bae presented the center's current work and activities, which focus on software education and development. Joining the discussion were Jeong Seontae, Management Team Manager of the SW Education Center, and Kim Chanwoo, a center team member.
The conversations with KAIST faculty revealed interesting possibilities for future work together. The Software Education Center's expertise in software development and education could complement UNU-EGOV's research on local digital governance. Both sides talked about how their different strengths might work together in future projects.
KAIST's position as a leading technology university in South Korea, combined with its focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, makes it a natural partner for research that connects technical capabilities with governance challenges. The university's graduate programs attract students who often go on to leadership roles in technology and government.
Expanding Research Networks
This visit to KAIST, following Demetrios's participation in the Seoul symposium, shows how academic exchanges can open doors to new partnerships. By connecting with faculty and students at different institutions, UNU-EGOV continues to build relationships that can support future research and capacity-building work.
The combination of teaching, learning, and relationship-building during this visit reflects how international academic cooperation works best—through direct, personal connections that can grow into lasting collaborations.
