Korea University

 About Korea University

Korea University (KU, Hangul: 고려대학교; hanja: 高麗大學校; RR: Goryeo Daehakgyo) is a private research university in Seoul,South Korea. Established in 1905, it is one of the nation's oldest and most prominent institutions of higher education. It is considered one of SKY universities, known for being one of the best universities in the country. The student body consists of over 20,000undergraduate students and over 10,000 graduate students. The university’s academic breadth is broad with its 81 departments in 19 colleges and divisions, and 18 graduate schools. It has over 1,500 full-time faculty members with over 95% of them holding Ph.D. or equivalent qualification in their field. The Korea University Alumni Association consists of more than 280,000 university graduates.

Korea University is a large research institution, notable in South Korean history for being the first educational institution to offer academic programs in Korea in various disciplines, such as law, economics, and journalism. It is particularly well known for itsCollege of Law, which is widely considered to be one of the most well-known undergraduate law programs in South Korea. Korea University also has auxiliary educational facilities such as the Institute of Foreign Language Studies, the Institute for Continuing Education, the Institute of International Education, and the Center for Teaching and Learning. There are 115 research institutes, including the Battelle@KU Laboratory, the Ilmin International Relations Institute, and the Center for Information Security Technologies.

History of Korea University

Bosung College

Korea University was established on May 5, 1905, as Bosung College by Lee Yong-Ik, Treasurer of the Royal Household. The first College President was Hae-Uoung Shin. As an academic institution of nationalistic origin, it was regarded as a symbol of national pride during the colonial period (1910–1945).

Bosung College had to endure many hardships before Korea University of today came into being. Shortly after Bosung College was established, the "Korea-Japan Protocol" was signed, and Lee Yong-Ik, founder of Bosung College, went into exile to lead the resistance movement against Japan. His exile created financial hardship for the institution. Fortunately, however, the first financial crisis was overcome when Sohn Byong-Hee, a leader of Chundokyo, a nationalist, religious and political movement at the time, took over the management of the institution.

By 1929 the foundation once again faced a serious financial crisis as a result of the worldwide recession. Kim Sung-Soo came to the rescue when he became the president of the College in 1932. At that time, Kim was managing Choong-Ang High School and the Dong-A Ilbo, a daily newspaper.

Relocation

In June 1932, Kim Sung-Soo took office as President of Bosung College and in 1934 the main building was completed on a 63,000-pyeong area of land located in Anam-dong. Construction of the library started in 1935 in commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of Bosung College and was completed two years later. In July of the following year, a large athletic field, one of the largest in Asia in those days, was added to the campus. Kim Sung-Soo, as President, made every effort to develop Bosung College into the first genuine Korean university. Unfortunately, his hope did not become a reality because of Japanese colonial interference. In April 1944, the Japanese colonial government forced Bosung College to change its name and placed it under the thumb of the Japanese authorities.

Modern era

Following Independence in 1945, the status of Bosung College was elevated to that of a university comprising three colleges, Political Science and Law, Economics and Commerce, and Liberal Arts. Hyun Sang-Yun, the first president, initiated an expansion of the campus by purchasing forest and land. In June 1949, Korea University awarded its first bachelor's degrees and in September of the same year, the graduate school was established. Yu Chin-O, the fourth president, continued to expand Korea University with the establishment of the Division of Science within the College of Liberal Arts, as well as a fourth college, the College of Agriculture.

In June 1961 the present Liberal Arts building (Seokwan) was completed. Various facilities were also completed such as the museum, the agriculture laboratory, the greenhouse, and other buildings for student services. In the same year, an experimental farm of about 1,680,000 pyeong was added to the facilities. In addition, the Science and EngineeringDepartments were equipped with laboratories and instruments. In December 1963, the Graduate School of Business Administration, the first of its kind in Korea, was established. In October 1965, Yu Chin-O retired after fifteen years of service as the fourth president of Korea University and was succeeded by Professor Lee Chong-Woo as the fifth president. After 1966, Korea University continued to expand with a gradual increase in the number of departments within the College of Science and Engineering and in the College of Agriculture. The Graduate School of Education was also founded. More facilities, including the new annex buildings, the General Education Building (Kyoyangkwan), and the Mass Communication Building (Hongbokwan), were added.

In October 1970, Dr. Kim Sang-Hyup, professor of political science, was appointed as the sixth president, succeeding Lee Chong-Woo who retired in September of that year. In December 1971, a major reorganization of Korea University took place. In accordance with the long-term development plan, all Woosuk University colleges, including Medicine, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Law and Economics, Junior College of Allied Health Sciences, as well as Woosuk University Hospital, were completely integrated into Korea University. In June 1972, the Business Administration Building (Kyoyangkwan) was completed to accommodate the College of Commerce and the Graduate School of Business Administration. In December of the same year, the College of Education was established.

In April 1975, President Kim Sang-Hyup was succeeded by Cha Rak-Hoon who became the seventh president. In December 1976, the College of Commerce was renamed the College of Business Administration. The Graduate School of Food and Agriculture was established in January of the following year. In December 1977, the College of Science and Engineering were separated into the College of Science and the College of Engineering. In addition, the new Central Library, the largest of its kind in South Korea at that time, was opened in March 1978. In July 1983, Medical School and hospital were expanded and reorganized into the Korea University Medical Center, which then included four new hospitals: Haewha, Guro, Yeoju and Ansan. In September 1983, the Science Library opened as the center for science and technology research and was at that time the largest and most modern building on the campus.

In June 2001, Korea University concluded a joint academic program with the University of British Columbia in Canada. The Korea University Lyceum was completed and SK Telecom made a significant contribution in the same month. In July, the Division of International Studies and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication were founded. In October, Korea University obtained ISO9001 authentication in all educational and administrative areas.

100th Anniversary

In 2005, Korea University celebrated its Centennial Anniversary of Foundation Day, May 5.

In March the College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology and the College of Life and Environmental Sciences were integrated into the College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology. At the same time, the Junior College of Health Sciences was abolished and merged into the new highly developed College of Health Sciences.

Currently, Korea University is composed of sixteen colleges and divisions, as well as eighteen graduate schools and eleven auxiliary facilities, including libraries, museum, and press office for public relations.

Accreditation

• Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Ministry of Education, Korea
• Other Specialized or Programmatic Accreditations - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International); European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD-EQUIS)

Rankings

• For 2016-17, the university was ranked 98th in the world  and 16th in Asia by QS World University Rankings.
• Also, in the 2014 QS World University Subject Rankings, the university's politics program, economics program, chemical engineering program and the communications program were both ranked within the top 50 in the world.
• The business programs at Korea University obtained international certification by acquiring Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) certifications in both undergraduate- and graduate levels and European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) for the first time in South Korea, qualifying for two highly regarded certifications for business educational assessment.
• Accordingly, in 2007, the Ministry of Education, after assessing domestic MBA programs, named Korea University as having the MBA program in South Korea.
• In the 2015 Financial Times' EMBA Rankings, Korea University Business School's Executive MBA (E-MBA) program was ranked 27th in the world.

Student Life @Korea University

Clubs

• Social Science: Philosophy village, The Wagon Wheel, Saram Saneun Saesang, Study Group of Culture, Working People, KUCC, Economics Institute of Current Events, UNSA (UN Student’s Association ), Korean Modern History Research Association, Current Affairs & Economy Society, Korean Society Research Association, Korean Spirit Training, B&B
• Exhibition and Creative Art: Institute of Arts Criticism, Our Literature Research Institute, KU Literature Association, Institute of Korean Painting Dolbit (KU Movie Critique Club), Geurim Madang (KU Cartoon Club), Keul mal literature Institute (KU poet’s society), Hoyounghoi Jinbo Creative Literature Club, Seowha PAPCON
• Social Studies: One, Two, Five (a campaign for the disabled), Red Cross Student’s Association Rotarect (university federation public service club), Nadal Moeum (an agricultural club) Howoo Hwe (KU public service club), Eunwhawhe (a student association for night studies), Saebyok Kwangjang (a club for preserving the environment), KUSA
• Art: Korea University Choir (former KU Glee Club), KU Nongak (Korean instrumental music of peasants), KU Orchestra We love Tal (Korean Traditional Mask), KU Wind Ensemble Noraeol Theater, Korean Classical Music Classic Guitar Club, KU choir, Crimson, KUDT, Geurootogi (an Acoustic Guitar Club), TTP, Bulas (Sports Dance)
• Religion: Won-Buddhism Student’s Association, Every Nation Mission (ENM), Jeung San Do, Student Christian Association, Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), Korean Christian Student’s Union, Christ’s Ambassador Mission (CAM) University Mission, Buddhist Student’s Association, Joy Mission, Catholic Student’s Association, Student For Christ (SFC), IVF
• Language Studies: Nid d’amis (French Club), Dongsuchoi, KU Research Institute on Korean and Japanese Culture, S.I. S TIME, KU China Research Institute, E.C.S (English Conversation Researching Society), LECA (English Conversation Club), A.L.C
• Life Culture: Leisure and recreation Research Association, Youth Hostel (Travelling Club), Ho-Jin Hwe (theatre appreciation and critique club), Scout / Ho-Dong Hwe (a club made by Japanese Koreans), Paduk Sarang Meeting (a club for people who play Korean checkers)
• Sports: Amateur Soccer team, Skin Scuba Diving, Korea University Amateur Baseball Club, KU Archery Club, Swimming Tiger’s Club, Badminton / Ping-pong Club, Soobakdo
• Literary Art: Norae Madang, Talpae Hanaldarae, KU Folk Music Band, Yeol Gu Rim, ICCUS, TERRA, Sun Hyang Jae, Darkroom
• Science and Technology: KULS, KUERA, Amateur Astronomer’s Club (KUAAA), Amateur Radio Association (HAM),Intelligent Robot Club (KAsimov)
• Others: Honong-hoe, The Morning Dew, Breaking The Cell, Buddhist Student Society, Sunlight Village, Youth & Future, Korea University Extreme Sports Club (KESC)

Traditions

• The Granite Tower Festival (Seoktap Daedongje)
• April 18 Marathon
• Ipselenti- Cry of "Ji Ya" (입실렌티) is a cheering festival that is held by Korea University's cheering squad on the last night of Seoktap Daedongje (Granite Tower University Festival). Students sing Korea University's cheering songs, dance along and enjoy. Celebrities are also invited to perform there. "Ipselenti" is part of Korea University's slogan that is used since Bosung College, and "Ji" and "Ya" means jiseong and yaseong (wisdom and wildness).
• Korea-Yonsei Friendship Games

Services of Korea University

Medical Center

With the opening as Kyoung-sung Women's Medical College in 1938, the university's college of medicine was later renamed and annexed as Seoul Women's Medical College in 1948. Then, in 1967, it was renamed as Woosuk College of Medicine. Finally, the medical school merged with Korea University in 1971, and was officially renamed as Korea University College of Medicine. In 1983, the Korea University Medical Center(KUMC) was formed and its first director was inaugurated. Since then, KUMC has been performing the duties as auniversity hospital, such as education, research, patient care, and voluntary work in world-disaster areas as well as disadvantaged areas in South Korea. Korea University Medical Center is a comprehensive medical institution that includes three hospitals (Anam, Guro, and Ansan), the College of Medicine, the College of Health & Sciences, three graduate schools, ten laboratories, and several specialized centers. It also has achieved the highest level of health care in the world by acquiring JCI certification, the second medical center in South Korea to do so.

University Scholarships

Korea University offers scholarships, fellowships and awards under the auspices of the Korea University Foundation, established in 1905. Close to 245 institutional scholarships, totaling more than 11.5 billion won, are available to Korea University students. Funds have been made available for these programs through the generosity of donors who wish to support the continuing educational efforts of our students. Scholarships are established as either endowed or restricted, in accordance with the wishes of the donor. Scholarships are awarded to students based on criteria such as matriculation status, school and department affiliation, financial need, academic achievement, grade point average and expected graduation date.

Career Development Center

The Career Development Center offers various information, services, and educational programs that enable students to decide and enter into their desired career paths. Information such as part-time jobs on campus, tutoring opportunities, internships, and job opportunities from both domestic and foreign companies can be viewed at our homepage, and career counseling services as well as career/employment programs are operating in order to help students find the most suitable career path for them, and further prepare their future employment process (resumes, interviews, etc.).

Law School Student Support Center

This program performs counseling and guidance for students entering the legal profession who are concerned about their career/employment, and helps students enter the most suitable career path in law for them by providing on-the-job training, internship information, and a variety of career information.

Korea University Business School Career Development Center

The KU Business School Career Service provides a variety of career services such as 1:1 career coaching, resume clinics, mentoring, as well as job-related information and resources to help students in business school plan and manage their career.

KUSSO(Korea University Social Service Organization)

KUSSO, Living the True Value of Sharing Since its launch on December 23, 2008, KUSSO has been working vigorously to to practice “noblesse oblige” under the motto of “Intellectuals to take action, leaders to think, a university to serve the society”. In order to fulfill the responsibilities of true intellectuals required by our times, it strives to make greater efforts to serve not only Korea but also all humankind everywhere in the world.