FIM Asia, Kookmin University and OHVALE Strengthen International Cooperation Through New MOU
Seoul, Republic of Korea – 31 August 2026
A new chapter in international cooperation between academia, motorcycle sport and industry was opened in Seoul on Monday, 31 August, with the signing of a three-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Kookmin University, FIM Asia and Italian motorcycle manufacturer OHVALE.
The agreement, signed at 11:00 a.m. at Heo Yong Soo Hall in the Administration Building of Kookmin University, brings together Kookmin University’s expertise in automotive and mobility technologies, FIM Asia’s international motorcycle sport network and OHVALE’s technical and global business capabilities.
The partnership will focus on advanced motorcycle research, professional education, technical exchange and the development of internationally recognised programmes, creating new opportunities for cooperation between academia, motorcycle sport and industry.
The Federation of Motorcycle Sports of Korea (FOMS KOREA), under the leadership of President Stephen Sungyuk Won, played a key coordinating and bridging role in bringing the three organisations together and helping align their respective areas of expertise and cooperation.
Prior to the signing ceremony, representatives from Kookmin University, FIM Asia, OHVALE and FOMS KOREA took part in a guided tour of Kookmin University’s automotive and mobility laboratories and key facilities. The visit provided an opportunity to review the university’s research and educational infrastructure and discuss potential areas for future collaboration.
Strong FIM Asia Representation
FIM Asia President Abdulrahman Al Mannai welcomed the new cooperation framework, which brings together a leading Korean university, the continental body for motorcycle sport in Asia and an internationally recognised motorcycle manufacturer.
Representing FIM Asia at the signing ceremony were Secretary General Franck Vayssié and Vice President Mohammed Rhiza Bin Ghazi.
The ceremony was attended by Kookmin University President Seung Ryul Jung, Byoung Joon Ki, Director of the Kookmin University Foundation, Kyung Mo Kang, Dean of the College of Arts, Sung Hwan Shin, Dean of the College of Automotive Engineering, and Sung Wook Lee, Director of General Affairs.
OHVALE was represented by Marica Barbiero, Global Business Operations Director.
FOMS KOREA was represented by President Stephen Sungyuk Won, Deputy Secretary General Kyujin Kim and Assistant Manager Jagyun Goo. Representatives from Korea Mobility Group Co., Ltd., including CEO Jungmin Sung and Manager Hogon Lim, also attended.
Combining Academia, Motorcycle Sport and Industry
Under the MOU, the three organisations will progressively develop cooperation in several key areas, including joint research and technical exchange related to advanced motorcycles and motorcycle sport, professional education and training programmes reflecting international standards, and education and training for students, young riders, coaches and industry professionals.
The partnership will also support joint seminars and workshops, together with the exchange of human and technical resources.
By combining Kookmin University’s academic and research capabilities with OHVALE’s specialised motorcycle technology and FIM Asia’s international network, standards and operational experience, the partners aim to establish a practical cooperation model through which research and educational outcomes can be applied directly to motorcycle sport and the wider motorcycle industry.
The agreement represents an important step in strengthening connections between Korean academia, international motorcycle sport and the global motorcycle industry.
Following the signing, FOMS KOREA will continue to support working-level discussions between the three organisations and assist in developing joint research, educational and professional development initiatives.
President Abdulrahman Al Mannai and FIM Asia will continue to support the partnership as it develops, with the objective of creating tangible opportunities in research, international education, technical exchange and professional development.
The MOU marks the beginning of a new collaborative platform designed to contribute to the future development of motorcycle sport, mobility technology and international professional education in the region.
