Songyungwan University, now located in Seoul, is South Korea's oldest institution of higher education. For the first time, he began work as a school of Confucianism in 1398, which makes him one of the oldest universities in the world. In 1898, the structure of the Confucian Academy was brought into line with the requirements of the time, as a result of which the modern Songyungwan University was born. What is he like today?
History of University
Founded in 1398, the school was focused on the study of the traditional Chinese canon, Confucian wisdom and poetry. It was assumed that a graduate of such an institution would be a harmonious person, capable of fair public administration.
The theory of Confucianism was supplemented by practice, the academy also served as a temple to Confucian sages, who regularly performed ceremonies in the school building dedicated to the great revered ancestors. The name of Songyungwan University itself consists of two characters that can be translated as "building a rational society."
The special status of the university was also indicated by its close proximity to the two royal palaces of the Joseon era. Traditionally, the Queen patronized the school, and graduates became the most senior officials.
Reform and Japanese occupation
In 1895, a radical reform of education was carried out, as a result of which Songyungwan University turned into a modern educational institution of a European standard. Students were offered to undergo three-year training and defend their qualification work following the results of an educational course.
However, with the beginning of the Japanese occupation in 1910, the importance of the university fell sharply, and education in it stopped, although this was not officially announced. In fact, all the resources of the occupation administration were directed to the creation of the Imperial University of Japan in Korea. In such a deplorable state, the university existed until Korea gained independence in 1946.
Briefly about the Korean educational system
Education is critical to building a successful career, and Korean universities are at the top of this ladder. The state strictly monitors compliance with established standards in order to provide a truly high level of knowledge for both school graduates and students of higher educational institutions.
Despite the fact that this approach allows you to achieve really good results in your studies, sometimes exams and certification can serve as a source of stress and excessive worries, because the applicant may not have the opportunity to correct the mistake made.
Although Songyungwan University is considered the most prestigious educational institution in the country, Seoul University, which is the largest in the republic, is in serious competition.
Higher education in the country
Korean universities are focused on the study of technical and engineering specialties, since it is precisely the dynamic development of the high-tech industry that allowed the country to break out into the leaders of the global electronics market.
Despite the extremely strict attitude of the state to the quality of education, the educational program at universities is not unified and may differ significantly from one educational institution to another.
Since the 1980s, when the government decided to pay special attention to the education of citizens, admission to a prestigious university has become one of the most important events in the life of a Korean.
Expectation and reality
Enormous attention is paid to preparing for admission throughout the entire period of study at school, but it has become especially intense in the last two years, when students focus on studying test tasks and tutoring classes. Especially much attention is traditionally paid to mathematics and the English language.
Higher education in Korea is so prestigious that it is second only to the USA in the number of students. However, such a number of people with higher education creates some difficulties. Considering that there has been a recession in the Korean economy in recent years, many of yesterday’s students at prestigious universities have to take lower positions than they would like, and for less money.
The place of universities in the country's economy
While the most prestigious US universities are a forge of cadres for the country's political elite, most of the prestigious universities in Korea are primarily suppliers of engineering and technical personnel for giant corporations, which have been the locomotive of the economic development of the Republic of Korea for many decades.
Many of the corporations are directly interested in training quality personnel for their various divisions. The trend towards the merger of large industrial groups and educational institutions is particularly noticeable in the case of Songyungwan University in Seoul.
Perhaps the most illustrative example of the fruitful collaboration between corporations and the university is the Samsung library, built by the company for students of the Seoul campus. In the multimedia educational complex, you can not only access online libraries and educational resources, but also take advantage of large screens for relaxing and watching movies.
In addition, the company sponsored the construction and equipment of the university’s production workshop, in which students can test their designs by producing prototypes of devices invented by them on a 3D printer.
Campus Sungkyunkwan University
This is the official name of the university, which the whole country is rightly proud of. An educational institution of this level, of course, should take care of its students. On the map of Korea, the university campus has a very special place, because the country's most technologically advanced university should be equipped accordingly.
University dormitories are equipped with the latest technology. Verified access to the hostel can only be carried out by students using special registered magnetic cards. In addition, fire alarm checks are conducted monthly in dormitories and places of shared access, which ensures a safe level of accommodation.
International exchange and cooperation
Despite the fact that Korea on the world map occupies only a small area of land, its significance for the international economy is enormous. This is also the case in the educational field.
All universities in the Republic of Korea have international relations, but in Songyungwan, the number of foreign students reaches ten percent. In addition, about two thousand Korean students are sent annually for paid internships and exchange programs to the most prestigious educational institutions in the USA, Japan and Europe.
Also, a summer school is organized annually on the territory of the university campus, to which students from other technical universities of the country and abroad are invited to participate, and the University School of Business has constant connections with leading economic departments of various countries through the MBA program.
Although all universities in South Korea have connections with foreign universities, Songyungwan retains a leading position in this area for many years.