(remote) learning, an approach inherited from the days of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Korea University is establishing new departments tailored to the demands of contemporary technology.
Kookmin University leads the way in discovering and implementing innovative learning formats. The institution has pioneered a specialized educational foundation with a strong emphasis on collaborative learning. Professor Lee Seok-Hwan, the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, firmly believes that the times call for new approaches. Here are some of the transformative initiatives they’ve introduced.
Eureka Project: Transformation Curricula through Practical Engagement
Traditionally, university education begins with theory, with learners delving into the history and principles of their field before gradually transitioning to practical application. However, freshmen entering university right from high school often struggle to grasp the relevance and purpose of theoretical knowledge Hence, following the Eureka approach, first-year students engage in practical, real-world experiences right from the start. Only in their later years, after confronting tangible challenges and hurdles, do they transition to theoretical coursework. By then, these students possess personal experiences and specific questions, making theoretical learning significantly more effective and sought-after. They recognize that, without a solid theoretical foundation, tackling practical challenges becomes a daunting task.
“HOT Team” Project:[102] A Format for Training in Teams
In a collaborative effort with instructors, students delve into and pose questions that society often takes for granted. Through group dynamics, they unearth fresh perspectives on seemingly mundane issues and craft creative solutions aimed at enhancing society across all levels.
Project Alpha: A Project-Based Learning
Approach Here, a group of students, or even an instructor, suggests a topic that the entire group subsequently explores. This project empowers students to focus their attention on subjects that truly interest them, allowing for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding.
HOT + Alpha Project: Advanced Teamwork Course
Combining the best practices of the preceding endeavors, this project serves as a convergence point for various disciplines. Within this dynamic crucible, previously non-existent technologies take shape. Over time, this research endeavor evolves into an educational course. What sets this course apart is its long-term outlook: it isn’t confined to a single academic semester or two but spans a duration of 10 to 20 years. In essence, students and faculty may come and go, yet the project endures.
An intriguing facet of Korean higher education lies in its active inter-university collaborations. Multiple universities establish platforms for collaborative work, effectively opening the same course to enrollment across multiple institutions.
It’s worth noting that nearly every speaker at the Rectors’ Forum highlighted the potential for cooperation with Russian universities. This interuniversity collaboration could well serve as a conduit to sustain interaction between our nations during periods of political and economic cooling.
INDUSTRIAL-ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP
Many leading Korean universities are placing a strategic emphasis on fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Korea University, for instance, is actively cultivating innovative forms of engagement with industrial enterprises. These partnerships are not merely mutually beneficial but also serve as a bulwark against crises. Underpinning these endeavors are specialized programs, developed in partnership with the industrial and technical sectors, guaranteeing employment for graduates at partner enterprises.
Sungkyunkwan University, situated in Seoul, has etched industrial-academic collaboration as a pivotal element of its 2030 development vision titled “Development and Coexistence.” This multifaceted initiative seeks to stoke entrepreneurial spirit, with long-term benefits accruing to the regional community and the nation as a whole.
University’s President Shin Dong-Ryeol provides insight into their approach, explaining, “In 2015, we established a startup support group to bridge the chasm between scientific research outcomes and tangible business ventures.”
To boost investment activity in the startup sphere, a venture capital fund has been instituted. Moreover, a streamlined one-stop support system has been deployed to assist startups at every juncture, from technology scouting to project monetization. During the investment quest, fledgling startups gain access to face-to-face interactions with venture capital firms, all within the confines of the university’s ecosystem.
It’s worth highlighting that the university doesn’t solely nurture external entrepreneurial initiatives; it also fosters internal projects. Take Olix, a pharmaceutical development company founded by Professor Lee Dong-Gi from the Faculty of Chemistry as a prime example. Today, this enterprise commands a market value hovering around 250 billion Korean won. Olix’s success story is far from unique, as the university has established a thriving incubator that has hatched over 70 startups, with university faculty members spearheading many of these initiatives. In the words of President Shin, “Startups have emerged as the new driving force propelling our nation’s growth.”
GLOBAL FRAME
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
It is impossible to contemplate a global perspective without considering the environment. Hence, one of the focal points in the trajectory of Korean higher education, within the realm of universities’ third mission, is the environmental agenda.
For instance, Korea University has embarked on a formidable mission: by 2030, it aims to slash carbon emissions by 40 %, primarily through the adoption of alternative energy sources. By 2045, the university envisions achieving carbon neutrality across all its campuses and affiliated entities.
Meanwhile, Youngsan University, located in the city of Yangsan, also has long-term plans, aligning with sustainable development objectives. Research endeavors span Arctic logistics, climate change, environmental preservation, and the cultivation of an inclusive society.
South Korean universities are making significant strides toward greener campuses and the efficient management of recyclable resources.
HUMAN VALUES
In the dawn of the impending fourth industrial revolution, safeguarding human values assumes paramount significance. Korean universities’ leadership is acutely cognizant of this imperative. Hence, one of the core competencies cultivated in young professionals is the ability to maintain their humanity amidst the burgeoning realm of high technology. This competency blossoms through the nurturing of mutual respect, the embodiment of societal values, collaborative creativity, and an unwavering commitment, not only to self-development but also to the betterment of society, to which each of us belongs.
Gangneung-Wonju National University spearheads this endeavor and straightforwardly articulates it within its institutional development vision: “We cultivate morally astute, highly skilled individuals through a creative approach to
