EST. SEOUL · YONSEI · KOREA
Academic Federation VAN
A federation of university academic societies centered on Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University.
About VAN
VAN (Veritas Academiae Nexus) is a federation of university academic societies centered on Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University. It began as an alliance of long-established, officially recognized societies at the three universities and is expanding into a nationwide academic network.
Earlier inter-university alliances were constrained by short student-governance election cycles. Leadership changed frequently, interrupting the accumulation of experience, networks and institutional assets.
This challenge became clear through the Zeitgeist joint social-science conference. Students from the three universities saw that serious academic discussion could produce practical implications when it met real social questions. The participating society leaders agreed to move from one-off collaboration to a structure built for continuity.
VAN therefore established an independent, year-round platform that operates beyond student-office terms. It combines continuous academic exchange with structured cooperation among faculty advisers, professional advisers and partner institutions.
VAN now seeks to be a sustainable platform for young intellectual leadership—grounded in research and solidarity, and capable of connecting academic depth with public impact.
Messages of support from public and academic leaders
Your level of collaboration is admirable, not only among three universities, but in establishing collaboration around the world. Your principles of truth, scholarship and solidarity are noble and will take you far.
I hope VAN grows beyond political camps and regions into a research organization that practices solidarity, inclusion and cooperation.
I hope VAN continues to grow as an organization of young people who open difficult paths and help build a brighter future through a broad and accurate understanding of history and reality.
Academic truth is also social justice. I encourage you to meet factional logic with courage and rigorous rationalism. Many senior colleagues and I will stand with VAN.
The goal of pursuing truth while contributing to social prosperity and change resonates strongly. Congratulations on VAN’s new beginning.
Representative Council
Representative
Yonsei University
Vice Representative
Korea University
Chief of Staff
Korea University
Academic and Strategic Guidance
The Advisory Council combines a professional adviser group, which contributes practical and strategic insight, with a faculty group that provides academic depth and theoretical foundations. The Council Chair coordinates both groups and maintains the organization’s strategic direction.
Principal Senior Adviser
Head of Faculty Advisers
Representative Faculty Advisers
Chair, Advisory Council
Connecting scholarship with public discourse
VAN conducts projects that connect academic research, policy and public discourse.
A policy-and-technology project using generative AI and cloud infrastructure to make legislative information more accessible and expand civic participation.
A joint academic exchange where social-science societies from Seoul National, Yonsei and Korea University presented research and held floor discussions.
An academic conference of more than 100 participants featuring presentations and debate on international politics and social issues.
Future Activities
Flagship Annual Initiative · VAN Conference 2026
The Arena of Innovation · 2026
VAN’s flagship conference brings students and young people together with leaders from academia, industry and public life to examine the defining questions of rapid technological and social change.
VERITAS · ACADEMIAE · NEXUS
Universities are places for the pursuit of truth, but truth realizes only half its value if it remains within academic discussion. It gains public meaning and practical force when brought into conversation with complex social reality. VAN therefore treats academic depth and social reach as equal principles. We will pursue truth with rigor, bring what we learn into society and build meaningful change through solidarity.
Donation Account
Donations support VAN’s continuing academic and public-interest work, youth forums, conferences and related projects.
When possible, use “Your Name + VAN” as the depositor name.
Example · HongGildongVANOfficial Channels
