Korean Universities to Attract 100,000 Foreign Students by 2010
According to an official of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology quoted in the Korea Times, South Korea has set a goal to increase its international student enrollment to 100,000 by 2010. The plan is part of the revised “Study Korea Project” introduced in 2004. Included in the plan will be an increase in government-funded scholarships, more English-only and Korean language classes, more dormitories for students, and an easing of the rules for working while on a student visa. Ministry official Shin Kang-tak said, “Attracting overseas students has become important not only for education but also the economy and diplomacy. If the number of foreign students increases to 100,000, we can earn 160 billion won. Foreigners graduating from Korean universities will also serve as a driving force in this country, which is suffering from a low birth rate.’’ The number of foreign students in Korea has jumped three-fold over the last four years to 55,000 this year.