Fulbright U.S. Education Center

The Chosun Ilbo reports today that the Korean government has designated eight universities as IT Research Centers (ITRCs), with a view to developing IT-based core technologies and nurturing high-quality human resources with master’s or doctorate degrees. The new ITRCs are Sogang University (S/W verification engineering technology), Korea Maritime University (oceanic LED light), Kyunghee University (ubiquitous IPTV), Chonnam National University (mobile phone interface), Chungbuk National University (hybrid vehicle energy), Kookmin University (Energy and IT convergence), Chosun University (real-time IT), and Gyeongsang National University (aviation S/W).

The government plans to provide each ITRC with an annual budget of W500-800 million for up to four years (US$1=W1,349).

The local press, including the Korea Times, are covering an OECD study that shows Korean schools to be more crowded than schools in other OECD nations. There are 31.6 students on average per class in elementary schools here, much higher than the OECD average of 21.5.  According to the National Statistical Office (NSO) yesterday, the number of students per teacher in elementary, middle and high schools stood at 26.7, 20.8 and 15.9, respectively, higher than the OECD average of 16.2, 13.3 and 12.6.   The number of students per class and per teacher will reach the OECD average in three to nine years if the government continues to hire new teachers and construct new schools at the current pace.  “There will likely be more teachers and schools than needed nationwide, beginning from 2012, because of declining birthrates. By 2030, the government will be forced to close some schools and lay off teachers, with Korean women having fewer babies. The focus should shift to providing high-quality educational services from building new schools and employing more teachers,” an NSO official said.

According to a Vietnamese newspaper, over 100 delegates, including policy makers and researchers from both Vietnam and South Korea, gathered on March 26^th at a seminar on educational cooperation, which was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training, South Korean Embassy in Vietnam, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Focussing on a range of topics, such as contributions of education to economic development, education and information technology, and vocational training, the participants discussed priorities and policies aimed at creating positive impacts on the development of Vietnam’s education system and improving Vietnam’s national competitiveness in the next decade.

This is one interesting example of other developing countries trying to learn from Korea’s example.  Although distant from each other within the vast Asian region, both Korea and Vietnam have been heavily influenced by Confucian culture, which places great emphasis on education.

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has announced a new admissions policy under which it will admit 150 students, based on the recommendations of their high school principals.  The purpose of this new policy is to diversify admissions.  Over 80 percent of students admitted to the school this year graduated from elite institutions, mostly science high schools. Only 20 percent came from regular high schools. The 150 additional openings next year will be allotted to only those attending ordinary high schools.  Ten percent of the 150 openings will be assigned to students from rural areas and another 10 percent will go to students from low-income households.   Suh, Nam-pyo, the President of KAIST, said that “On the premise that there are smart students in provincial areas, we are going to select 150 students recommended by high school principals. One high school wasn’t able to send even a single student to Kaist for the last 10 years. I’m sure there are talented students in that school. If we give the school a chance, the education system will be upgraded.”

The announcement that a Korean had been selected as the new President of Dartmouth College marked the first time a Korean was chosen to be president of an Ivy League College.  Not surprisingly, it has created a reaction here.   The Chosun Ilbo had an interesting editorial.  It is worth reading and provides some insight into the Korean educational system.