Sungkyunkwan University, now located in Seoul, is the oldest institution of higher education in South Korea. It first began operating as a Confucian school in 1398, making it 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 Sungkyunkwan University was born. What is it today?
History of the 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 personality capable of fair public administration.
The theory of Confucianism was supplemented by practice, the academy also served as a temple for Confucian sages, who regularly performed rituals in the school building dedicated to the great revered ancestors. The actual name of Sungkyunkwan University consists of two characters, which can be translated as "building a reasonable society".
The special status of the university was also indicated by its close proximity to two royal palaces of the Joseon era. Traditionally, the institution was patronized by the queen, and graduates became the highest-ranking officials.
Reform and Japanese occupation
In 1895, a radical educational reform was carried out, as a result of which Sungkyunkwan University turned into a modern European-style educational institution. Students were offered to complete a three-year study and defend a qualifying paper at the end of the educational course.
However, with the beginning of the Japanese occupation in 1910, the significance of the university fell sharply, and education in it ceased, although this was not officially announced. In fact, all the resources of the occupation administration were directed to the creation of the Japanese Imperial University in Korea. In such a deplorable state, the university lasted until Korea gained independence in 1946.
Korean educational system in brief
Education is critical to building a successful career, and Korean universities are the highest rung on that ladder. The state strictly monitors compliance with established standards in order to ensure a really high level of knowledge, both for school graduates and students of higher educational institutions.
Despite the fact that this approach allows you to achieve really high results in your studies, sometimes exams and certifications canserve as a source of stress and excessive worries, because the applicant may not have the opportunity to correct the mistake made.
Although Sungkyunkwan University is considered the most prestigious educational institution in the country, Seoul University, which is the largest in the republic, seriously competes with it.
Higher education in the country
Korean universities are focused on studying technical and engineering speci alties, since it is the dynamic development of the high-tech industry that has allowed the country to break 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, entering a prestigious university has become one of the most important events in the life of a Korean.
Expectations and reality
Preparation for admission is given great attention throughout the entire period of schooling, but becomes especially intense in the last two years, when students focus on studying tests and classes with tutors. Especially great attention is traditionally paid to mathematics and English.
Higher education in Korea is so prestigious that it is second only to the United States in terms of the number of students. However, this numberpeople with higher education creates some difficulties. Given that the Korean economy has been in decline in recent years, many former students of prestigious universities are forced 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 universities in the United States are the forge of personnel for the country's political elite, most of the prestigious universities of Korea are suppliers, first of all, of engineering and technical personnel for giant corporations, which have been the engine of 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 especially noticeable at the example of Sungkyunkwan 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 on 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 equipping of the university's production workshop, where students can test their designs by 3D-printing prototypes of devices they have invented.
Sungkyunkwan University Campus
This is the official name of the university, which the whole country is rightfully proud of. An educational institution of this level, of course, should take care of its students. On the map of Korea, the university campus occupies a very special place, because the most technologically advanced university in the country should be equipped accordingly.
The dormitories of the university are equipped with the latest technology. Verified access to the hostel can only be carried out by students with special personalized magnetic cards. In addition, monthly fire alarm checks are carried out in dormitories and communal areas to ensure a safe standard of living.
International exchange and cooperation
Despite the fact that Korea occupies only a small piece of land on the world map, its importance for the international economy is enormous. The same is true in education.
All universities in the Republic of Korea have international connections, but in Sungkyunkwan 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 US, Japan and Europe.
various countries through the MBA program.
Although all universities in South Korea have links with foreign universities, Sungkyunkwan has maintained a leading position in this area for many years.
