Harvard University president Drew Gilpin Faust visited Ewha Womans University Friday to give a lecture under the theme “Educate Women; Change the World.”

“A country’s competitiveness depends on how well it educates its women,” the Ivy League school leader emphasized. She pointed out that women were still underrepresented in fields such as business and politics, and encouraged students to expand their role in Korea as future female leaders.

At the event, Faust was named Distinguished Honorary Ewha Fellow, an honor presented to prominent figures who contribute to promoting women’s rights. Faust became the second person to receive the award following former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2009.

The 28th president of Harvard was selected as she “has greatly contributed to the improvement of women’s social status as the first female dean of the school and renowned historian,” according to an Ewha official.

Faust also met Ewha University president Kim Sun-uk and 20 students for further discussions regarding female leadership.

“I realized that I should not be complacent with having an opportunity to study. Rather, I once again realized that women everywhere should realize their full potential to improve their respective society,” said Kim Han-sol, a sophomore English literature major student who attended the lecture.

By Lee Sang-ju, Intern reporter  (sjlee370@heraldcorp.com)