"KDI School is a very unique institution. It is probably the school that offers the most innovative master’s program in Korea," said Professor Woochan Kim with a smile on his face. Before joining the KDI School, he served at the Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy. During his stay at the Ministry (1991- 2000), he worked in the International Financial Institutions Division and the Foreign Exchange Policy Division. From 1994 to 1999 he was dispatched to Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. degree in Public Policy (with a concentration in financial policy). Outside of school, he heads a private research institute named the Center for Good Corporate Governance (CGCG).It was in year 2000 that Professor Kim joined the KDI School. When asked about the reasons for his departure from government. Professor Kim emphasized the following points. First, working at the KDI School makes better use of what he has learned. As a Ph.D. in Public Policy, he thinks an academic institution like the KDI School, rather than a bureaucracy like the Ministry, suits him better. Secondly, one cannot become a specialist in government as bureaucrats move from one bureau to another periodically.

Finally, he enjoys the freedom of mind and also an environment where he can express his own views. In September, Professor Kim became the Chair of the Master’s in Asset Management (MAM) Program. When asked about the key features of the MAM program, Professor Kim stressed the following points. Firstly, MAM is the only master’s program in Korea that targets professionals in the asset management industry. Secondly, by offering courses on weekends and evenings, MAM allows professionals to study without giving up their current jobs. Third, like other programs at the KDI School, every course in the MAM program is offered in English. Last but not least, MAM has a curriculum rich with unique courses that are seldom offered at other universities. Courses on hedge funds, private equity funds, and pension fund management are just a few examples.

When discussing this year''s plan for the MAM program. Professor Kim mentioned the following two activities. The first is to design a new brochure specifically for the MAM program. This brochure is scheduled to be completed by this summer and will be widely distributed to attract a greater number of applicants in October. The second activity Professor Kim is working on is Forum MAM. This is a forum for our MAM students and graduates to which guest speakers will be invited to give talks two times a year in Korea’s financial center of Yeoi-do. The first forum is scheduled for May 22, and the second one for September. Guest speakers will be invited from among the top executives in the Korean asset management industry. Immediately following the talks, there will be an informal gathering for students. The May forum will be an exclusive one open only to our MAM students and graduates, while the September forum will be open to potential applicants interested in the MAM program. According to Professor Kim, Forum MAM has three objectives. It will work as a medium to publicize the MAM program to top executives in the asset management industry, who are at the same time potential employers of our graduates. Moreover, it will serve as a venue where MAM students and graduates can strengthen their networks with each other. Finally, it will help the School greatly in attracting more applicants to the program. Unknowingly, it was time to finish the interview with Professor Kim. When talking about his expectations from our KDI School students, he smiled and said that his expectations are the same as those of other professors. That is, study hard! At last. Professor Kim conveyed a message to students of the KDI School. "DoiVt waste your talent and efforts only to enrich yourself. You might have been granted with those for a more meaningful purpose."

By Zhonglei LIU (2009 MBA, China)