Sungkyunkwan University
Encyclopedia
Sungkyunkwan University (also known as SKKU or simply Seongdae) is a private university in Seoul
and Suwon
, South Korea
. The university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Myeongnyun Dong, Jongno-gu
in central Seoul
, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Cheoncheon Dong, Jangan Gu
, Suwon
. The literal meaning of "Sungkyunkwan" is "an institution for building a harmonious society of perfected human beings". Eighteen schools and three colleges offer degrees at the bachelor's level, and twelve graduate schools confer various degrees at both the masters and doctoral levels. It is considered to be one of the foremost universities in the country.
in Seoul
is located uphill from the old Sungkyunkwan Confucian institute
, on the same hill as Changdeokgung
and Changgyeonggung
, two of Seoul's
royal palaces, and Jongmyo
. It is at the following coordinates: 37°35′13.5"N 126°59′38.5"E. The Natural Sciences campus in Suwon
is located within walking distance from Sungkyunkwan University Station
, in the north west of the city. It is at 37°17′36"N 126°58′28.5"E. The Agricultural Department's fields are at 37°17′21.5"N 126°58′5"E. These are notable for their large prostrate Korean flag
and map, which lie 0.56 km from the Natural Sciences campus main gate on a bearing of 252°.
Sungkyunkwan was established in 1398 to offer prayers and memorials to Confucius
and his disciples, and to promote the study of the Confucian canon
. It was located in the capital Hanseong
, modern-day Seoul
. It followed the example of the Goryeo
-period Gukjagam
, which in its later years was also known by the name "Sungkyunkwan". Sungkyunkwan was Korea's
foremost institution of higher learning under the Joseon Dynasty
education system
.
After the period of Japanese rule
, with the emergence of the Republic of Korea, the old Sungkyunkwan was reincorporated as a private institution without the sanction of defunct Joseon Dynasty
. As Korea
modernized and underwent social and economic reforms, the university grew rapidly to keep up with the diverse demands of the advancing country. In 1946, the entering class numbered 155. The number of graduates now totals approximately 130,000.
Sungkyunkwan now operates two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in Seoul
and the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon
.
(1400–1418) Taejong initiates a tradition for royal princes to enter Sungkyunkwan.
The First Faculty Hall is constructed.
The Evening Graduate Schools are established.
. These four cardinal virtues express humankind's four inherent elements of spirit, action, conscience, and intellect. Humanity abides in the heart that loves, righteousness abides in the heart that knows right from wrong, propriety abides in the heart that knows forbearance, and wisdom abides in the heart that perceives. Confucian philosophy attests to man's innate goodness, and at the same time recognizes that this quality must nevertheless be awakened and nurtured. These four principles, which comprise the university's philosophy of instruction, are the basis for higher education's goals of the search for truth and the establishment of social justice, which are, in turn, based on humanity.
No.59). Although these trees are not located on the modern campus of the university, they are considered one of the school's key symbols. Planted in 1519 by Yun Tak, a former president of Sungkyunkwan, they hold symbolic meaning in Confucianism
because Confucius
is said to have loved reading, pondering, and teaching his disciples under a ginkgo tree. These trees also represent longevity and enlightenment, both held important in Korean culture
.
Full-Time Professors: 1,138 / Emeritus Professors: 137 / Research Professors: 201 / Clinical Professors: 63 / Associate Professors: 1,687 / Lecturers: 633 / Adjunct Professors: 290 / Visiting Professors: 104 / Exchange Professors: 2 / Others: 4
Data from March 2008
Enrollment of Undergraduate: 27,639 / Master Course: 5,980 / Doctor's Course: 1,210 / Unified Course: 215
that the university cannot be described in isolation from the city. Like the university, Seoul
is the center of Korea's
remarkable economic growth over the past 40 years with its unique tradition and current modernity. Seoul
was the seat of government as early as the Baekje
Kingdom for over 1,500 years. However, the city became more important with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty
in 1392, when it became the capital city. The university is located inside Seoul
city walls, within the original capital of Joseon
.
Located uphill from the original Sungkyunkwan site, the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is spread over a hill looking down on Jongmyo
Royal Shrine, which has been designated by as a National Treasure. Just like Seoul
, the university grew rapidly, and the expansion called for a new campus.
The original site was preserved as the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, while the expanding science programs were moved to a new campus in Suwon
. Currently, 6 schools, 3 colleges and many graduate schools call the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus their home. To commemorate the founding philosophy of the university, the 600th Anniversary Memorial Hall, which houses the Academy of East Asian Studies, was constructed on this campus. This new facility has a floor space of 31,930 square meters as well as four underground levels and six above-ground storeys.
The university's modern Natural Sciences Campus was established in 1978. This campus is situated 45 km away from the south of Seoul
, on a 250 acres (1 km²) site. The campus is home to 5 schools, 2 colleges and various graduate schools. The management of the Natural Sciences Campus is considered a paragon of educational administration in Korea.
When the new campus was built, the idea of an equal dual campus system was new to Korean higher education; this system remains unique in Korea. Some comprehensive universities located in large cities have tried to meet the need for expansion by founding separate, usually smaller campuses in rural areas. Besides solving the problem of physical expansion, the separate campus system brought the University many opportunities for growth.
Suwon
preserves the traditional beauty of the Joseon
era (1392-1910), but it also now flourishes as a center for business, education and economic research, due to its proximity to major industrial complexes.
In an effort to serve society by building a bridge between academia and the industrial sector, another initiative, the Science Technology Park (STP), is being developed at this campus. The university, industries in the surrounding area, and the government
have combined forces in this project.
SAINT is the abbreviation of Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology. This institute opened on March, 2005.
SAINT was founded on March 1, 2005 as one of the 4 core programs of Sungkyunkwan University’s VISION2010+ plan to be ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. With the financial support from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Its goal is to become one of the top 5 nanotechnology-related institutes by the year 2010, Dr. Sumio Iijima
who discovered carbon nanotubes is the Dean of SAINT now.
, Japanese
, Mandarin and Korean
are all taught, though Mandarin is not taught at the Suwon
campus. Korean
is taught at 6 levels from beginner to advanced levels. There are 18 lecturers of Korean and 16 foreign lecturers of English
at the campus in Seoul
, with 14 foreign English lecturers in Suwon
, while the 2 Japanese lecturers based in Suwon
are themselves Korean. There are also several foreign lecturers of other languages in Seoul and Korean lecturers of English on both campuses. SLI is managed separately from the university and the management follows different systems of organisation on the two campuses, yet they both fall under an umbrella level of administrative management.
and Academic Presentations, though there are also ESP (English for Specific Purposes) classes in Business English
, English for Scientific Purposes, English Literature and Current English at the Suwon
campus. Non-credit classes are less specialised, and are therefore more typical of ESL
environments. These are also open to people who are not registered as students at Sungkyunkwan University to attend. It is not uncommon for members of staff or local residents to attend such classes. For the main courses (Academic Writing
and Presentations), SLI produces its own books, which are published by Sungkyunkwan University Press and which have thus far been revised on a yearly basis.
having been added in 2004 and that in Suwon
in 2005.
Current Library Holdings: 1,740,806 (bound volumes)
University Area: 3,593,341 m2
Building Area: 344,510 m2
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Myeongnyun Dong, Jongno-gu
Jongno-gu
Jongno-gu is a gu, or district, in central Seoul, South Korea. It takes its name from a major local street, Jongno, which means "Bell Street". Jongno-gu has been the center of the city for 600 years, since where the Joseon dynasty established its capital city...
in central Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Cheoncheon Dong, Jangan Gu
Jangan-gu
Jangan-gu, established on July 1, 1988, is the northern district of the city of Suwon in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.-Geography:Jangan-gu lies in the north of Suwon...
, Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
. The literal meaning of "Sungkyunkwan" is "an institution for building a harmonious society of perfected human beings". Eighteen schools and three colleges offer degrees at the bachelor's level, and twelve graduate schools confer various degrees at both the masters and doctoral levels. It is considered to be one of the foremost universities in the country.
Location
The Humanities and Social Sciences campusCampus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
is located uphill from the old Sungkyunkwan Confucian institute
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
, on the same hill as Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace, is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Because of its location east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung, with Changgyeonggung,...
and Changgyeonggung
Changgyeonggung
Changgyeong Palace is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Originally the Summer Palace of the Goryeo Emperor, it later became one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty....
, two of Seoul's
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
royal palaces, and Jongmyo
Jongmyo
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established since the 14th century...
. It is at the following coordinates: 37°35′13.5"N 126°59′38.5"E. The Natural Sciences campus in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
is located within walking distance from Sungkyunkwan University Station
Sungkyunkwan University Station
Sungkyunkwan University Station is a ground-level metro station on line 1 of the Seoul Subway in Yuljeon Dong, Jangan Gu, Suwon, South Korea. The station's sole exit offers access to Sungkyunkwan University and Dongnam Health College...
, in the north west of the city. It is at 37°17′36"N 126°58′28.5"E. The Agricultural Department's fields are at 37°17′21.5"N 126°58′5"E. These are notable for their large prostrate Korean flag
Flag of South Korea
The flag of South Korea, or Taegeukgi has three parts: a white background; a red and blue taegeuk in the centre; and four black trigrams, one in each corner of the flag...
and map, which lie 0.56 km from the Natural Sciences campus main gate on a bearing of 252°.
History
- See also: Sungkyunkwan
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
and his disciples, and to promote the study of the Confucian canon
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. It was located in the capital Hanseong
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, modern-day Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. It followed the example of the Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
-period Gukjagam
Gukjagam
The Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong , and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics. It was established in 992 during the reign of Seongjong...
, which in its later years was also known by the name "Sungkyunkwan". Sungkyunkwan was Korea's
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
foremost institution of higher learning under the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
education system
Education in the Joseon Dynasty
Education in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea was largely aimed at preparing students for government service. The ultimate goal of most students was successful passage of the state examinations, known as gwageo....
.
After the period of Japanese rule
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
, with the emergence of the Republic of Korea, the old Sungkyunkwan was reincorporated as a private institution without the sanction of defunct Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. As Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
modernized and underwent social and economic reforms, the university grew rapidly to keep up with the diverse demands of the advancing country. In 1946, the entering class numbered 155. The number of graduates now totals approximately 130,000.
Sungkyunkwan now operates two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
and the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
.
Chronicle
- 1398: The foundation of Sungkyunkwan
(1400–1418) Taejong initiates a tradition for royal princes to enter Sungkyunkwan.
- 1475: Jongyeonggak, the first library, is established.
- 1519: Planting of the pair of Ginkgo trees (Natural Monument No.59Natural monuments of South KoreaThis is a partial list of natural monuments of South Korea. By 2009 a total of 576 animal, plants, landforms, geological formations, and nature reserves had been designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea as natural monuments...
) that became the University's symbol. - 1592: Munmyo, the Confucian Shrine, is destroyed in a fire.
- 1601: Munmyo is reconstructed.
- 1895: Sungkyunkwan is reformed as a modern three-year university.
- 1911: The University is renamed Kyonghagwon by the Japanese Colonial Government.
- 1946: Sungkyunkwan college reopened on September 25.
- 1950: Campus buildings, libraries are destroyed in a fire.
- 1953: The University is promoted to a comprehensive university; The Graduate School is established.
- 1954: The Main Building is constructed (5 storeys, 1,333 pyeongPyeongA pyeong is a unit of measurement in Korea equal to square metres . The similar unit of measurement in Japan is the tsubo...
). - 1957: First Science Hall
- 1958: The Central Library is opened (5 storeys, 1,038 pyeongPyeongA pyeong is a unit of measurement in Korea equal to square metres . The similar unit of measurement in Japan is the tsubo...
); The Evening College is established. - 1962: The Administration Building is constructed (4 storeys, 1,271 pyeongPyeongA pyeong is a unit of measurement in Korea equal to square metres . The similar unit of measurement in Japan is the tsubo...
). - 1963: The College of Business Administration is established.
The First Faculty Hall is constructed.
- 1964: The opening of the Museum.
- 1965: The College of Sciences and Engineering is established.
- 1966: The School of Library Service is established.
The Evening Graduate Schools are established.
- 1971: The Graduate School of Foreign Trade is established.
- 1972: The College of Education is established.
- 1978: The Natural Sciences Campus opens in SuwonSuwonSuwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
. - 1981: The Graduate School of Education is established.
- 1983: The Science Library building is constructed.
- 1986: The Susonggwan Gymnasium Complex and Yanghyongwan Student Quarters are constructed.
- 1988: The Graduate School of Confucian Studies is established.
- 1993: The School of Continuing Education is established.
- 1995: The Graduate School of International Cooperation is established.
- 1996: The Samsung GroupSamsung GroupThe Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
reacquires the university foundation; The Graduate School of Mass Communications and Journalism is established. - 1997: The College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Design, and the Graduate School of Business Administration are established.
- 1998: 600th Anniversary; The School of Art is established.
- 1999: The Medical Building is constructed.
- 2000: The 600th Anniversary Building is constructed; The Business Administration Building is reconstructed.
- 2001: The Research Complex 1 is constructed; The Wisdom Hall(dormitory) is constructed.
- 2002: The Electronic Microscope Complex is constructed.
- 2002: Construction begins on the Law Building.
- 2003: The inauguration of the 18th President: Dr Jung-Don Seo.
- 2004: The Law Building is constructed; Su Seon Hall is renovated; Hoam Hall is renovated; The International House is constructed;
- SKK Graduate School of Business is launched in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of ManagementMIT Sloan School of ManagementThe MIT Sloan School of Management is the business school of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
.- 2005: The Research Complex 2 is constructed.
- 2006: The Graduate School of Mobile Systems Engineering, which is sponsored by Samsung ElectronicsSamsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
, is established; The PACE(Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education) Center is established; The Semiconductor System Engineering Course, which is sponsored by Samsung ElectronicsSamsung ElectronicsSamsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
, is established. - 2007: The Global Business Undergraduate Program is established. (Dual degree program with Kelley School of BusinessKelley School of BusinessThe Kelley School of Business is a top-ranked American business school operated by Indiana University. As of 2009, approximately 5,500 full-time students are enrolled on its Bloomington campus, as well as 1,750 students at the Indianapolis campus...
) - 2008: The Global Economy Undergraduate Program is established.
- 2008: The International Hall is constructed;
- 2009: The Graduate School of Interaction Science, which is sponsored by Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (Korea), is established.
Motto
The University's motto, "Humanity, Righteousness, Propriety, and Wisdom" (仁, 義, 禮, 知) reflects the basic spirit of ConfucianismConfucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. These four cardinal virtues express humankind's four inherent elements of spirit, action, conscience, and intellect. Humanity abides in the heart that loves, righteousness abides in the heart that knows right from wrong, propriety abides in the heart that knows forbearance, and wisdom abides in the heart that perceives. Confucian philosophy attests to man's innate goodness, and at the same time recognizes that this quality must nevertheless be awakened and nurtured. These four principles, which comprise the university's philosophy of instruction, are the basis for higher education's goals of the search for truth and the establishment of social justice, which are, in turn, based on humanity.
University symbol
The university's symbol is two giant ginkgo trees (Natural MonumentNatural monuments of South Korea
This is a partial list of natural monuments of South Korea. By 2009 a total of 576 animal, plants, landforms, geological formations, and nature reserves had been designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea as natural monuments...
No.59). Although these trees are not located on the modern campus of the university, they are considered one of the school's key symbols. Planted in 1519 by Yun Tak, a former president of Sungkyunkwan, they hold symbolic meaning in Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
because Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
is said to have loved reading, pondering, and teaching his disciples under a ginkgo tree. These trees also represent longevity and enlightenment, both held important in Korean culture
Culture of Korea
The current political separation of North and South Korea has resulted in divergence in modern Korean cultures; nevertheless, the traditional culture of Korea is historically shared by both states.-Dance:...
.
Faculties & Enrollment
Data from April 2008Full-Time Professors: 1,138 / Emeritus Professors: 137 / Research Professors: 201 / Clinical Professors: 63 / Associate Professors: 1,687 / Lecturers: 633 / Adjunct Professors: 290 / Visiting Professors: 104 / Exchange Professors: 2 / Others: 4
- Total: 4,259
Data from March 2008
Enrollment of Undergraduate: 27,639 / Master Course: 5,980 / Doctor's Course: 1,210 / Unified Course: 215
- Total: 35,044
Humanities and Social Sciences Campus
The deep roots of the university are so strongly entwined with SeoulSeoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
that the university cannot be described in isolation from the city. Like the university, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
is the center of Korea's
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
remarkable economic growth over the past 40 years with its unique tradition and current modernity. Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
was the seat of government as early as the Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
Kingdom for over 1,500 years. However, the city became more important with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
in 1392, when it became the capital city. The university is located inside Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
city walls, within the original capital of Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
.
Located uphill from the original Sungkyunkwan site, the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is spread over a hill looking down on Jongmyo
Jongmyo
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established since the 14th century...
Royal Shrine, which has been designated by as a National Treasure. Just like Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, the university grew rapidly, and the expansion called for a new campus.
The original site was preserved as the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus, while the expanding science programs were moved to a new campus in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
. Currently, 6 schools, 3 colleges and many graduate schools call the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus their home. To commemorate the founding philosophy of the university, the 600th Anniversary Memorial Hall, which houses the Academy of East Asian Studies, was constructed on this campus. This new facility has a floor space of 31,930 square meters as well as four underground levels and six above-ground storeys.
Natural Sciences Campus
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, on a 250 acres (1 km²) site. The campus is home to 5 schools, 2 colleges and various graduate schools. The management of the Natural Sciences Campus is considered a paragon of educational administration in Korea.
When the new campus was built, the idea of an equal dual campus system was new to Korean higher education; this system remains unique in Korea. Some comprehensive universities located in large cities have tried to meet the need for expansion by founding separate, usually smaller campuses in rural areas. Besides solving the problem of physical expansion, the separate campus system brought the University many opportunities for growth.
Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
preserves the traditional beauty of the Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
era (1392-1910), but it also now flourishes as a center for business, education and economic research, due to its proximity to major industrial complexes.
In an effort to serve society by building a bridge between academia and the industrial sector, another initiative, the Science Technology Park (STP), is being developed at this campus. The university, industries in the surrounding area, and the government
Government of South Korea
The Government of South Korea is divided into executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The executive and judicial branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. Local governments are semi-autonomous, and...
have combined forces in this project.
Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nano Technology
SAINT was founded on March 1, 2005 as one of the 4 core programs of Sungkyunkwan University’s VISION2010+ plan to be ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. With the financial support from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), Its goal is to become one of the top 5 nanotechnology-related institutes by the year 2010, Dr. Sumio Iijima
Sumio Iijima
Sumio Iijima is a Japanese physicist, often cited as the discoverer of carbon nanotubes. Although carbon nanotubes had been observed prior to his "discovery", Iijima's 1991 paper generated unprecedented interest in the carbon nanostructures and has since fueled intense research in the area of...
who discovered carbon nanotubes is the Dean of SAINT now.
Background
Sungkyun Language Institute is a semi-autonomous division of Sungkyunkwan University. EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
, Mandarin and Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
are all taught, though Mandarin is not taught at the Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
campus. Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
is taught at 6 levels from beginner to advanced levels. There are 18 lecturers of Korean and 16 foreign lecturers of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
at the campus in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, with 14 foreign English lecturers in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
, while the 2 Japanese lecturers based in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
are themselves Korean. There are also several foreign lecturers of other languages in Seoul and Korean lecturers of English on both campuses. SLI is managed separately from the university and the management follows different systems of organisation on the two campuses, yet they both fall under an umbrella level of administrative management.
Courses
Both credit and non-credit classes are taught. The English credit courses are chiefly in Academic WritingAcademic writing
In academia, writing and publishing is conducted in several sets of forms and genres. This is a list of genres of academic writing. It is a short summary of the full spectrum of critical & academic writing. It does not cover the variety of critical approaches that can be applied when writing about...
and Academic Presentations, though there are also ESP (English for Specific Purposes) classes in Business English
Business English
Business English is English language especially related to international trade. It is a part of English for Specific Purposes and can be considered a specialism within English language learning and teaching; for example, the teachers' organisation IATEFL has a special interest group called BESIG...
, English for Scientific Purposes, English Literature and Current English at the Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
campus. Non-credit classes are less specialised, and are therefore more typical of ESL
English language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
environments. These are also open to people who are not registered as students at Sungkyunkwan University to attend. It is not uncommon for members of staff or local residents to attend such classes. For the main courses (Academic Writing
Academic writing
In academia, writing and publishing is conducted in several sets of forms and genres. This is a list of genres of academic writing. It is a short summary of the full spectrum of critical & academic writing. It does not cover the variety of critical approaches that can be applied when writing about...
and Presentations), SLI produces its own books, which are published by Sungkyunkwan University Press and which have thus far been revised on a yearly basis.
Facilities
SLI has a "Global Zone" - a room in which students may relax, study, read, browse the web, view online lectures, attend conferences, watch international TV, or seek English assistance from the lecturers - on each site. These are relatively recent additions, that in SeoulSeoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
having been added in 2004 and that in Suwon
Suwon
Suwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
in 2005.
ASLE-Korea
Sungkyunkwan University's Department of English Language and Literature is birthplace and home of the Korean affiliate of the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment (ASLE-Korea or ASLE-K). ASLE-Korea http://www.aslekorea.org/ hosts two conferences a year (Spring and Fall) and publishes Literature and Environment (문학과환경),a journal dedicated to extending ecocritical scholarship, with articles written primarily in Korean and English.Budget and facilities
Annual Budget: 428,030,000,000 won (USD 319,783,339.56)- Budget from Tuition: 224,358,000,000 won (52.4%)
- Budget from University Foundation: 114,851,000,000 won (26.8%)
- Budget from Donation: 34,762,000,000 won (8.1%)
- Budget from Incident: 14,432,000,000 won (3.4%)
Current Library Holdings: 1,740,806 (bound volumes)
- Central Library: 914,228 / Samsung Library: 610,023
- Jongyeonggak Library: 146,187 / Library of Medicine: 11,330 / Law Library: 56,438 / Library of Architecture: 2,600
University Area: 3,593,341 m2
- Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: 1,394,154 m2 / Natural Sciences Campus: 2,199,187 m2
Building Area: 344,510 m2
- Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: 141,803 m2
- Natural Sciences Campus: 202,707 m2
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of colleges and universities in South Korea
- Education in the Joseon DynastyEducation in the Joseon DynastyEducation in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea was largely aimed at preparing students for government service. The ultimate goal of most students was successful passage of the state examinations, known as gwageo....
- Sungkyunkwan
- Education in South KoreaEducation in South KoreaEducation in South Korea is viewed as being crucial for success and competition is consequently very heated and fierce. A centralized administration oversees the process for the education of children from kindergarten to the third and final year of high school. Mathematics, science, Korean, social...
- DaehangnoDaehangnoDaehangno is a neighborhood in Seoul north of the Han River within Jongno-gu and Seodaemun-gu.Formerly known as Sunggyobang , meaning "high respect for teaching", its current name was designated when the 1.1km six-lane road from Hyehwa-dong rotary to Ihwadong crossroad was designated as a...
- SuwonSuwonSuwon is the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A major city of over a million inhabitants, Suwon lies approximately south of Seoul. It is traditionally known as "The City of Filial Piety"....
- Samsung Global Scholarship ProgramSamsung Global Scholarship ProgramSamsung Global Scholarship Program is a talent program of the Korea-based Samsung conglomerate's flagship subsidiary, Samsung Electronics...