Seoul National University said Sunday that Osaka University had requested mutual exchanges with it.

According to Seoul National University, 12 professors from Osaka University’s Graduate School of Science visited SNU’s College of Natural Sciences and discussed plans to develop education and research exchanges earlier this month.

SNU had always been first to suggest exchanges with other world renowned universities, but this is the first that another school has suggested exchanges, let alone send a visiting group of professors.

SNU and Osaka University are ranked 42 and 45, respectively, by Quacquarelli Symonds which annually ranks some 700 universities worldwide through expert and academic peer reviews.

Both universities agreed to sign an agreement in March of next year, and will hold international workshops.

“Before SNU had to seek agreements with other prominent universities, but the school’s prestige has risen such that leading universities like Osaka University take the initiative in dispatching visiting professors,” said Jeon Heon-su, associate dean of planning at the college, as quoted by other news reports.

“World university rankings and other data has ranked the university favorably so positive recognition has grown,” said Kim Jun-ki, dean of the office of international affairs at SNU.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)