Korea University Aims to Raise Foreign Student Ratio to 30% in 5 Years: President Kim Dong-won
Korea University is setting its sights on becoming a more diverse and globally competitive institution by drastically increasing the ratio of foreign students and teaching staff. The university’s President, Kim Dong-won, plans to raise the current ratio of foreign students (around 10%) and foreign teaching staff to 30% each within five years. This move is in response to the country’s falling population and aims to create a more cosmopolitan campus environment.
In an interview with The Korea Times, President Kim expressed his desire to see Korea University become a globally prestigious school. While Korea is among the world’s top 10 economies, its universities have yet to make a significant mark on the global stage. President Kim sees raising the ratio of foreign students and teaching staff as a key strategy to strengthen the university’s global positioning.
To achieve this goal, President Kim has been actively seeking cooperation and student exchange opportunities with universities in South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. He believes that diversifying the nationalities of foreign students is just as critical as increasing their numbers. To attract exceptional foreign students and teaching staff, he plans to provide them with full support and ensure a smooth transition into campus life.
President Kim is also working on bridging the gap between the university and industries. He aims to adjust the curricula to better align with the needs of the job market, especially amid technological advancements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This includes incorporating IT and bioscience-related courses into compulsory programs and emphasizing the importance of field experiences for students.
The university’s focus on technology goes beyond the curriculum. In March, Korea University became the first domestic institution to establish guidelines for generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like ChatGPT. These guidelines aim to encourage students to embrace AI responsibly and actively engage with it, rather than restricting its use.
At its core, Korea University strives to cultivate altruism and unity among its students. In this spirit, the university made a groundbreaking decision to disqualify applicants with a history of school violence from admissions. This policy will take effect in 2025 and is aimed at addressing the pressing issue of school violence in the country.
Furthermore, Korea University is actively involved in community outreach programs. One notable initiative is the creation of a campus town in Anam-dong, where the university is located. The campus town aims to provide resources and support for young entrepreneurs, contributing to the revitalization of the area.
As Korea University sets its sights on becoming a globally renowned institution, President Kim’s ambitious plans to increase the ratio of foreign students and teaching staff, bridge the university-industry gap, and emphasize values like altruism are poised to transform the campus and enhance its standing on the global stage.
Note: This article has been generated based on an original news article and has been revised and rephrased using AI technology.
