From 1996 Sangmyung established a development strategy called "SMART 2005" and selected information and communication as the two fields that the university would specialize in. The first step of the plan was to invest in our infrastructure including the following improvements:

In addition to these improvements the university hired a number of trainers and implemented a program of mandatory computer training for all students.

These improvements did not go unnoticed by the government. After selecting Sangmyung University as an "upper-tier" school, the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development earmarked 1.3 billion won to support our future developments in IT.

The second prong of our development strategy was geared to making our students more internationalized. A number of well qualified native speaking lecturers were hired and in 1999 foreign language education became compulsory for all students.

We also entered into exchange agreements with reputable universities overseas -- as many as 45 universities in 14 different countries. For example, with the world renowned School of Visual Art in New York, and Soochow University of China, have both agreed to implement double degree programs with Sangmyung University. After completing two years at Sangmyung University, students can transfer to the School of Visual Art or Soochow University of China (depending on their major) for another two years. At the completion of their course of study, students involved in the exchange program obtain two degrees - one from each of the universities they attended.

Cooperation with other universities can include student exchanges, language and cultural training programs, and, as in the examples above, duel-degree programs involving credit transfers.