On February 6, 2025, the DTU International School organized the special lecture “The Journey of a Leader: Lessons from Challenges and Serving the Community” by Dr Hwang So Ryoung. The event attracted the interest of numerous students, lecturers, and young leaders eager to learn about leadership journeys and community service.
Dr Hwang and the participating students
During his lecture, Dr Hwang So Ryoung shared valuable experience from his own journey as a leader - from personal challenges to his successes in service of the community. He emphasized that a leader not only needs perseverance and vision but also a sense of responsibility toward society. Specifically, he told of the hardships he had to overcome from a young age and of how he rose above adversity to build a successful career. His real-life stories and profound lessons greatly inspired the audience.
DTU Vice Director and International School Dean Prof. Dr Lim Sang Taek gave an introduction to Dr Hwang’s career
The attending students listened very attentively to his vivid and impressive stories, which truly inspired and motivated the young people to reflect on their lives and strive to be useful to their families and to society at large.
In addition to the main lecture, the event featured an exchange session where students could personally ask Dr Hwang questions and get valuable advice from him. These interactions opened new perspectives and gave students a better understanding of how to apply leadership thinking in real life and their future careers. Dr Hwang also presented the students with meaningful gifts to boost their morale and to encourage them to continue their studies and personal development.
Students participating in the exchange received valuable gifts, such the book
The second teacher after school teachers/lecturers: the ones who guide you and show you the way from childhood to present
“I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the International School and our lecturers for bringing us such a valuable event,” Nguyen Dinh Vinh Khang, a student of class K28CMU TPM1, said. “The event gave my friends and me an opportunity to meet Dr Hwang So Ryoung and so have our questions answered. Dr Hwang’s talk provided profound lessons on perseverance and willpower to overcome challenges, and on community responsibility. His real-life stories of overcoming difficulties made me realize that, while each person may have a different starting point, it’s continuous effort and a willingness to contribute that actually determine success.
“For me, the event was also a moment for self-reflection and to reconsider what I’ve been doing. This made me set clearer goals for my studies and self-improvement. I understand that, to be a useful citizen for my family and for society, we need to continuously develop ourselves, cultivate leadership thinking, care for the community, and live more responsibly.
“Once again, I’d like to sincerely thank Dr Hwang So Ryoung and our lecturers for providing us with the opportunity to attend this meaningful talk. I hope that, in the future, there’ll be more valuable events like this one, where we, young people, can learn, grow, and contribute more to society.”
The lecture not only offered valuable knowledge, it also motivated the young participants to keep working to become leaders with both integrity and vision. DTU and the International School would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr Hwang for this meaningful talk and look forward to organizing more beneficial events in the future.
Some photos from Dr Hwang’s talk:
Biography of Dr Hwang So Ryoung
Dr Hwang So Ryoung is currently the CEO of DHTech Co., Ltd. and a leading expert in water treatment, with over three decades of experience. He started his business in 1993 in collaboration with like-minded colleagues. They built the company from scratch with no initial investment, relying on technical expertise, trust, and a team-work spirit. Through perseverance and strategic vision, his company achieved stable growth despite numerous challenges. Dr Hwang is also an adjunct professor at the DTU International School.
Education
- 2013: master from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Dong-A University.
- 2016: PhD from the Graduate School of Business Administration, Dong-Eui University.
Awards and honors
- 2013: the company Dr Hwang has founded was named Outstanding Business by the city of Busan;
- 2015: award from the South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry, & Energy;
- 2017: award from the South Korean Minister of Environment;
- 2024: Busan city Award of Model Management.
Management experience
The company that Dr Hwang leads operates in several fields related to water treatment technologies:
- wastewater treatment systems,
- cooling water treatment systems,
- drinking water supply systems,
- pure water treatment systems.
Dr Hwang holds 26 patents:
- 11 technology patents,
- 7 utility models,
- 2 technologies under development,
- 2 pending patent applications,
- 4 transferred technologies,
- 8 registered designs.
Other roles
In addition to business, Dr Hwang is actively involved in community and educational activities:
• director of the Gohwoo Scholarship Fund,
• vice president of the Dong-A University Alumni Association,
• director of the Korea Environmental Industry Association.
Dr Hwang is an inspiring figure. He emphasizes that an ideal employee needs not only knowledge but also ethics, integrity, and positivity. He particularly values qualities like responsibility, passion, enthusiasm, communication skills, and teamwork when recruiting.
(Media Center)
