Royal-patronized ensemble makes first-ever stop at global campus during Korea return

Visit explores potential for education, research and cultural ties between Korea and Europe

Officials from the English Chamber Orchestra pose for a photo with Ghent University Vice Rector Herwig Reynaert and Ghent University Global Campus President Han Tae-jun during a visit to the campus in Songdo, Incheon, on Monday. [Ghent University Global Campus]
Officials from the English Chamber Orchestra pose for a photo with Ghent University Vice Rector Herwig Reynaert and Ghent University Global Campus President Han Tae-jun during a visit to the campus in Songdo, Incheon, on Monday. [Ghent University Global Campus]

The English Chamber Orchestra, a world-renowned chamber ensemble under the official patronage of King Charles III, visited Ghent University Global Campus in Songdo International City, Incheon, to explore opportunities for expanding cultural and educational exchange between Korea and Europe.

Ghent University Global Campus said ECO representatives visited the campus on Monday, touring the university's education and research facilities.

The visit took place as part of the ECO's Korea tour — the ensemble's first return to the country in about 15 years. It was also the first time the ECO had visited Ghent University Global Campus.

The delegation received a briefing on the university's education and research activities and toured the Marine@UGent Korea research facility, which conducts international joint research in marine life sciences and environmental technology.

The university said the meeting was significant as it brought together a world-class cultural arts organization and a European global university to explore potential collaboration linking education, research and the arts.

Herwig Reynaert, vice rector of Ghent University in Belgium, also attended the visit.

Reynaert welcomed the ECO representatives and said he hoped the meeting would develop into a broader educational and cultural exchange connecting Korea and Belgium.

"We will work to ensure that this visit leads to a wide range of joint projects and exchanges in education and culture — not only with the Global Campus here in Korea but also with our main campus in Belgium," Reynaert said.

Han Tae-jun, president of Ghent University Global Campus, said universities must go beyond academics and research to serve as international connectors through culture and the arts.

"It is deeply meaningful to welcome a world-class orchestra with a long history of royal patronage to our campus," Han said, adding that a global university can play a significant role in the cultural dimension of Incheon's ABC+E strategy. Han expressed hope that the visit would lead to an international cultural exchange program connecting Incheon with leading European arts institutions and engaging both students and the local community.

Ofer Falk, guest concertmaster of the ECO, also said the visit gave the ensemble a firsthand look at the university's education and research environment.

"It was impressive to visit a European university established in Korea," Falk said. "We hope that music can serve as a bridge for continued cooperation between Korea and Europe across education, culture and many other fields."

Founded in the 1960s, the ECO is one of Britain's most prominent chamber orchestras, with more than 60 years of history and an international reputation built through collaborations with leading conductors and performers from around the world.

King Charles III has served as the orchestra's official patron since 1977, when he was still Prince of Wales.

During the Korea tour, the ECO performed in Tongyeong on Saturday and in Incheon on Sunday. The ensemble is scheduled to wrap up its visit with performances in Daegu on Wednesday and in Seoul on Friday.


gilbert@heraldcorp.com