Oxford, Hyundai Motor open research center to 'advance progress for humanity'

Hyundai Motor has opened a research center at Oxford University to focus on planning the automaker's long-term business strategies.

From left, Gyun Kim, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Motor Group Business Intelligence Institute; Soumitra Dutta, dean of the Saïd Business School at Oxford University; and Kim Heung-soo, executive vice president of the global strategy office at Hyundai Motor Group take a photo during the opening ceremony at the University of Oxford on Monday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor has opened a research center at Oxford University to focus on planning the automaker's long-term business strategies.

Located at the university's Saïd Business School, the Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Foresight Center will aim to “strengthen the company's ability to address geopolitical shifts and risks in advance,” Hyundai said.

Oxford professors and students as well as officials from the government and state-run institutions will conduct research with a shared aim to “advance progress for humanity and facilitate interdisciplinary conversations,” according to the company.

The institute will also “engage with the Group’s open innovation network across key locations, including the United States, China, India, Germany, and Singapore.”

The Foresight Center will be co-headed by Oxford Professor Rafael Ramirez, who previously chaired the Global Agenda Council at the World Economic Forum, and by Titular Associate Professor Trudi Lang, who has held roles at the World Economic Forum and the OECD Secretariat.

“This is an exciting and important partnership with the Hyundai Motor Group that will see our world-leading research and academics shape the future of business through values-based research,” said Soumitra Dutta, dean of business school at the University of Oxford during the opening ceremony on Monday.

“Hyundai Motor Group’s vision to pursue a better future for humanity very much aligns with our School’s values, and we look forward to a fruitful and mutually enriching collaboration.”

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]