GORD Enters Korea's Formal Higher Education System Through Five-University Climate Consortium

Doha, Qatar: The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the HUSS Environmental Consortium, comprising Kookmin University, Duksung Women's University, University of Ulsan, Inha University and Chosun University, establishing a new academic cooperation framework.

The framework focused on the integration of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) modules into formal university degree curricula, while extending collaboration across climate change education, sustainability research, international carbon markets and the development of specialised climate professionals.

The agreement was signed at Kookmin University in Seoul by Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, together with Yoonhee Kang, Professor, Kookmin University; Jongkil Kim, Professor, Duksung Women's University; Chiwook Kim, Professor, University of Ulsan; Huisuk Kang, Professor, Chosun University; and Jeongho Kim, Professor, Inha University. The consolidated MoU brings all five universities together under a single cooperation framework with GORD.

At the centre of the partnership is the planned incorporation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) modules into existing university curricula, creating a direct pathway for GORD-developed sustainability education to become part of Korea's formal higher education system. The MoU also provides for joint lectures, workshops, seminars and the development of educational content on climate change and global carbon markets.

Because the modules will be incorporated into programmes already in operation, the arrangement is designed to expand GORD's GSAS academic reach without creating a separate financial burden on the organisation.

The five universities form the climate crisis consortium under Korea's Humanities and Social Sciences Convergence Talent Programme (HUSS), supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Through the consortium, the universities jointly develop and operate interdisciplinary curricula designed to connect academic learning with emerging climate, sustainability and policy needs.

Reflecting on the wider significance of the partnership, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said:“Korea's academic ecosystem provides a strong platform for developing the interdisciplinary skills needed to respond to increasingly complex climate and sustainability challenges. By integrating GORD's applied sustainability expertise into formal university education, this partnership can help connect academic learning with industry, policy and real-world implementation, while creating a model that can be expanded across the region.”

Yoonhee Kang Kookmin university, representing the HUSS Environmental Consortium, said:“Preparing the next generation to respond effectively to the climate crisis requires education that extends beyond traditional academic boundaries.

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