Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Globalization and Higher Education in Korea:

A turn for better

Assistant Professor Sang-Ho Cho

Chonbuk National University, South Korea

10th Anniversary of English Engineering Education (e3) Program, 2010

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Contents

Globalization and Economy Development in

Korea

Brief History of Higher Education in Korea

Status of Higher Education in Korea

Korean Students studying abroad and foreign

students in Korea

Future Direction of Higher Education

: A Turn for Better!

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

1962, SEOUL 2010, SEOUL

A war-ravaged agrarian economy

GNP: 100 $

Global manufacturing powerhouse

Samsung, Hundai, LG, POSCO

GNP : ~20,000$

Globalization and Economy Development in Korea

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

The growth of GDP between 1970 and 2007

Source: http://www.kosis.kr

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Brief History of Higher Education in Korea

1945-1950s: building the foundation- 1945: 19 institutions of higher education in the country

- 1950 (before Korean war): 4 universities, 29 colleges

1960s-1992: linking higher education to

economic development - University and colleges were controlled strongly under the military

regime government

- Democratic Movement of June 1987, ensuring autonomy and

accountability in university management

1990’s - present: deregulation, university

autonomy and quality assurance - The concept of ‘globalization’ (segyehwa) and the ‘information society’

- Asian economic crisis in 1997-8,

- New engine for growth, “Brain Korea 21 project” and promotion of

provincial universities, “NURI”

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Progression rate from high school to

post-secondary education

Source: MOEHRD/KEDI(2007), Analysis of Educational Statistics

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

School leavers choice 2007(1990)

Graduation

from Year

12

Secondary

School

4 year Universities

2 year Jr. Colleges

Work

Non-economic activity

population

54.3%

(20.0%)

23.9%

(11.7%)

18.1%

(33.7%)

9.7%

(37.8%)

Post Grad Study

8.6%

(7.7%)of

Graduates

37.7%

(48.2%)of

Graduates

25.0%

(22.4%)of

Graduates

31.1%

(37.0%)of

Graduates

12.4%

(7.4%)of

Graduates

56.4%

(52.3%)of

Graduates

Ref.: http://www.slideshare.net/

Status of Higher Education in Korea

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

SCIENCE Vol. 317, 6 July (2007)

Status of Higher Education in Korea

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Korean Students studying abroad and

foreign students in Korea

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Why do South Korean students leave their own highly

economically and educationally advanced country?

As the South Korean economy has developed,

more and more families can afford to send

their children overseas to study.

The intense competition for dvancement

through education in South Korean society

leads even families with limited means to send

their children abroad in order to keep up with

their more affluent neighbors

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

What are the most pervasive reasons for South

Korean students' high desire for studying overseas?

“Education fever," based on the strong cultural

belief

- The primary pathway for social mobility and a

better future as well as individual success in an

increasingly globalized society.

A favorite South Korean slogan for successful

globalization

- "Only the first can survive,"

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Universities’ Role in Globalization

In major Korean universities, more classes and

lectures are taught not only in Korean but also

in English ― regardless of the subject matter.

In today's Korean universities, more professors

engage in international academic activities,

interact with overseas scholars and publish

their findings geared toward an international

audience.

Korea's major universities are also recruiting

more top-tier professors from overseas.

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

How to estimate Univ.’s globalization?

The raw number of foreign students is not a

sufficient indicator of how globalized our

universities are.

We should look at what contributions these

students are making in our schools.

We should look at where our society is headed

in terms of globalization and see whether our

universities are meeting the social demand.

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Graduate vs. Undergraduate

Research Content Course Content

Research Credit Course Credit

Reputation of Professor Reputation of University

Interdisciplinary Focus Disciplinary Focus

English/other language English/other language

Internship More Important Internship Optional

Global English Engineering Education [Global e3]

International Engineering Education Exchange [Int. e3]

Future Direction of Higher Education

: A Turn for Better!

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

See you again in Jeon-Ju(전주, 全州)

Han-Ok Village (Korean Housing)

Poong-Nam Gate (National Treasure)

Jeon-Ju Festivals

Jeonju Korean fixed meal

Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Engineering, Chonbuk National University

Thanks for your attentions!