Mason Korea officially partnered with NCSoft, a leading game development and supply company in Korea, at a MOU ceremony held at NCSoft R&D Center today.
“George Mason’s computer game design program and NCSoft are natural partners as both are finding ways serious games bring positive impact to our lives,” said President Gregory Washington, who signed the MOU on site on behalf of George Mason University and Mason Korea. “The Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI) at Mason’s US campus is a major force for research and entrepreneurship in the gaming industry and we plan for Mason Korea to collaborate further with VSGI and the Korean gaming industry,” he added.
NCSoft has been a keen sponsor of Mason Korea’s Progress at Play social impact competition for two years in a row and has supported faculty research on computer game design. The MOU will additionally open up opportunities for corporate internships for Mason Korea students as well as guest lectures by NCSoft experts and further collaboration on research and business development.
Mason’s Korea and US campuses are also collaborating with NCSoft on a joint research symposium to be held in November at the US campus.
"I was deeply impressed by NCSoft's activities to promote the cultural and creative value of games,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Robert Matz. “I look forward to the synergistic impact of our joint efforts to raise awareness on the positive influence of serious games,” he added.
"We are pleased to enter this industry-academic partnership with Mason Korea, which teaches both the technical and design elements of game design—the core of the gaming industry," said Yongkyun Ahn, Head of the Communication Center at NCSoft, adding, "We will work together to highlight positive aspects of games through this MOU."
Dr. Shannon Davis (Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Director of IUCF) and Christina Cha (Director of Strategic Partnerships) also attended the signing ceremony.
August 22, 2022
