Konkuk University

Konkuk University
건국대학교

Authority Mark of Konkuk University
Motto in English
 Sincerity (성, 誠),
Fidelity (신, 信),
Righteousness (의, 義)[1]
Type Private
Established 1931
Chairperson Kyung-hee Kim[2]
President Heeyoung Song[3]
Director 12 members (including Chairperson)
Jin Minja,
Lee Juyoung,
Kim Hyungshik,
Choi Hongkon,
Cho Raewon,
Lee Jeonghyub,
Yang Jaetaek,
Yoo Jaeun,
Choi Gapshik,
Jung Inkyung,
Kim Wooseok[4]
Academic staff
 Approximately 1,300 full-time faculty and 1,300 part-time faculty[5]
Administrative staff
 Approximately 500[6]
Students Approximately 25,600[3]
Other students
 Approximately 2,500 international students[7]
Location South Korea Seoul, South Korea
37°32′31″N 127°04′35″E / 37.54194°N 127.07639°E / 37.54194; 127.07639Coordinates: 37°32′31″N 127°04′35″E / 37.54194°N 127.07639°E / 37.54194; 127.07639
Campus Urban
Colors Green     
Sports Football, Baseball, Basketball, Tennis, Golf
Nickname KU, 건대(Geondae)
Mascot KonWoo & KonHee (Bull)
Website http://www.konkuk.ac.kr
Konkuk University
Hangul 건국대학교
Hanja 建國大學校
Revised Romanization Geonguk Daehakgyo
McCune–Reischauer Kŏn'guk Taehakkyo

Konkuk University (Korean: 건국대학교, Hanja: 建國大學校) is a private university located in Seoul and Chungju. The Seoul campus is located in the southeastern part of Seoul, near the Han River, and is served by a metro station of the same name. The Seoul campus has 16 undergraduate colleges and 13 graduate schools, whereas the GLOCAL campus in Chungju is composed of 6 undergraduate colleges and 4 graduate schools.[8][9] As of 2014, approximately 25,600 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled in the university, which has more than 3,000 faculty and staff.[3]

History

People’s Hospital

Konkuk University’s founder Dr. Seok-chang Yoo, was raised by a father who moved from Korea to Manchuria to join the country’s independence movement to end Japanese occupation. Trained as the medical doctor, Dr. Yoo opened the People’s Hospital on May 12, 1931, in order to provide medical care to the general public.[10]

Chosun School of Politics

As agriculture was the main pillar of the Korean economy under the Japanese occupation, Dr. Yoo brought his attention to young leaders in rural areas. In 1946, Dr. Yoo and his supporters, who later became benefactors of Konkuk University, established the Chosun School of Politics, a junior college for future politicians. Kang Kideok, a leader of Korea’s independence movement, became the first president. The school was accredited by the Ministry of Education in 1948. During the Korean War, the school had to be temporarily relocated to Busan.[10][11]

Konkuk University

The school was upgraded to a comprehensive university in 1959 and renamed Konkuk University. Believing that higher education was critical to maintain the Korea’s sovereignty, Dr. Yoo and his supporters chose the name Konkuk, which means “founding the nation” in Hanja.[10]

70th Anniversary

In 2016, Konkuk University will celebrate its 70th anniversary. A new emblem with the Sanghuh Hall, the original building for the Chosun School of Politics, was released in December 2015. To commemorate the 70th anniversary, the university announced it will unveil a second ox statue and hold a major academic symposium in August.[12]

Administration and Organization

Founder Dr. Seok-chang Yoo served as the first president of Konkuk University from 1959 to 1961,[13] and Dr. Heeyoung Song became the university’s 19th president in September 2012.[14] In addition to the president, Konkuk University has four vice presidents—vice president for academic affairs, vice president for administrative and external affairs, vice president for the GLOCAL campus, and vice president for medicine.[15] The board of Konkuk University Foundation, which includes Chairperson Kyung-hee Kim and eleven board members serving 4-year terms, govern the university.[16]

Academics

Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

The Seoul campus has 16 undergraduate colleges and 13 graduate schools, whereas the GLOCAL campus in Chungju is composed of 6 undergraduate colleges and 4 graduate schools.

Seoul campus

16 Undergraduate Colleges

  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Sciences
  • College of Architecture
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Information & Communications
  • College of Political Science
  • College of Law
  • College of Commerce & Economics
  • College of Business Administration
  • College of Animal Bioscience & Technology
  • College of Life & Environmental Sciences
  • College of Bioscience & Biotechnology
  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • College of Art & Design
  • College of Education
  • College of Global Integrated Studies

13 Graduate Schools

  • The Graduate School
  • Konkuk University Law School
  • Konkuk Business School (MBA Program)
  • Graduate School of Agriculture & Animal Science
  • Graduate School of Architecture
  • Graduate School of Business Administration
  • Graduate School of Design
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Graduate School of Engineering
  • Graduate School of Information and Telecommunications
  • Graduate School of Mass Communication & Public Relations
  • Graduate School of Public Administration
  • Graduate School of Real Estate Studies
GLOCAL campus

6 Undergraduate Colleges

  • College of Art and Design
  • College of Biomedical and Health Sciences
  • College of International Business
  • College of Media and Communication
  • College of Public Service and Education
  • College of Science and Technology

4 Graduate Schools

  • The Graduate School
  • Graduate School of Education
  • Graduate School of Medicine
  • Graduate School of Social Sciences

Research Institutes

Konkuk University has 58 affiliated and special research institutes in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

  • Architectural Barrier-free Institute
  • Artificial Muscle Research Center
  • Asia Infrastructure Research Center
  • Bio Food & Drug Research Center
  • Bio/Molecular Informatics Center
  • Cancer and Metabolism Institute
  • Center for Animal Resources
  • Center for Eco-Informatics
  • Center for Emerging Market Global Companies
  • Center for IT Enabled Outsourcing
  • Center for SMART Space Technology Research
  • Center for Story & Image Telling Studies
  • Center for Wireless Transmission Technology
  • Climate Research Institute
  • Eco-Food Supply Institute
  • Eco-friendly Agriculture Products Certification Center
  • Epic and Literary Therapy Research Institute
  • Fairy Tales & Translation
  • Flexible Display Roll To Roll Research Center
  • Food Safety & Animal Health Research Center at Konkuk University, FSRCKU
  • Functional Glycoside Conjugater Research Center
  • Future Energy Research Center
  • Global & Local Research Institute
  • Glocal Institute for SMART Communication and Consilience
  • Glocal Institute of Disease Control
  • Humanities Research Institute
  • i-Fashion Technology Center
  • Institute for Advanced Physics
  • Institute for Comparative History of Korea and Taiwan
  • Institute for Conservation of Art
  • Institute for Smart Green Architecture and Urbanism
  • Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Applications
  • Institute of Biomedical and Health Science
  • Institute of Functional Genomics
  • Institute of Glocal Disease Control
  • Institute of Inflammatory Diseases
  • Institute of Intelligent Vehicle and System Technology
  • Institute of Korean Politics and Society
  • Institute of Livestock Business Management
  • Institute of Public Affairs
  • Institute of Real Estate & Urban Studies
  • Institute of SMART Biotechnology
  • Institute of Technology Innovation
  • Institutional Animal Care and Use committee
  • Institutional Biosafety committee
  • International Climate and Environmental Research Center
  • Knowledge Contents Research Institute
  • Konkuk International Healthcare Institute
  • Konkuk SMART FTA Institute
  • Konkuk Social Policy Research Institute
  • Konkuk Trade & Tariff Institute
  • Konkuk University Public Design Research Center
  • Korea Aerospace Design·Air Worthiness Institute
  • Korea Hemp Institute
  • Korea Nokyong Research Center
  • Korea Sports Turfgrass Research Center
  • KU Institute of Communication Studies
  • KU Language and Cognition Research Center
  • Laboratory Animal Research Center
  • Life Resource Cooperative Research Institute
  • Liquid Crystals Research Center
  • Mathematical Science Research Center
  • Music Education Research Center
  • Nano Technology Research Center
  • New Media Art Laboratory
  • Physical Activity & Performance Institute
  • Quantum Institute for Emerging Technologies
  • Regional Development Design Center
  • Research Center for Innovative Electricity Market Technology
  • Research Center for Livestock Industry of North Korea
  • Research Center for Network and Energy Industries
  • Research Institute for Eco-based Society
  • Research Institute of animal models for diseases & stem cell
  • Research Institute of Art Culture
  • Research Institute of Basic Sciences
  • Research institute of Biomedical engineering
  • Research Institute of Economics & Management
  • Research Institute of Education
  • Research Institute of Food Biotechnology
  • Research Institute of Glocal Culture strategy
  • Research Institute of Industrial Technology
  • Research Institute of Inflammatory Diseases
  • Research Institute of Law
  • Research Institute of Life & Environment
  • Research Institute of Meat Science and Culture
  • Research Institute of Neurobiology
  • Research Institute of Social Sciences
  • Research Institute of Urban Administration
  • SK chemicals - KU Biomaterials Institute
  • SMART Institute of Advanced Biomedical Science
  • SMART SANGHUH Bio Research Institute
  • Social Eco-Tech Institute
  • Software Research Center
  • The Academy of Korea Horse Industry
  • The Center for Asia and Diaspora
  • The Center for Middle Eastern Studies
  • The Institute for the 3Rs
  • The Research Center for the Korean History of Technology
  • The Research Institute for Global Management of Technology for Catching Up
  • The Research Institute of Art and Design
  • The Research Institute of Medical Sciences
  • The Research Institute of Natural Science
  • The Study for Body Culture Institute
  • Veterinary Science Research Institute

Distinguished Professors

Four renowned scholars held the position of distinguished professor as of the fall semester of 2015.

Konkuk University Language Institute

Konkuk University Language Institute opened in 1990 to provide English and other foreign language classes. Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese courses are currently available to Konkuk University students as well as the general public. In 1998, the institute introduced Korean language programs for foreigners. Short-term courses for 1–2 weeks and 3-month long regular courses are available. The institute also provides training for Korean language teachers.[17]

Reputation and Rankings

Konkuk University was ranked 13th among Korean universities by JoongAng Ilbo in 2014.[18] According to a survey by Realmeter, which surveys “Korea’s Top 10 Brands,” the university was ranked 7th when the public was asked to identify a university for recommendation in 2015.[19] During the same year, Konkuk University ranked 8th when college applicants were asked by daehac.com which school they wanted to attend regardless of their current academic performance.[20]

In 2014, the Korea Economic Daily ranked Konkuk University’s business school as 13th in Korea and 9th in terms of potential.[21]

International Programs

Konkuk University has entered into partnership agreements with 471 institutions in 59 countries. During the fall semester of 2015, a total of 984 students studied abroad through dual degree programs, exchange programs, language courses, and short-term programs, and 1,162 foreign students were registered at the university.[22]

Exchange Student Program

Foreign students enrolled in Konkuk University’s partner universities, such as UC Berkeley, University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States, University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Osaka University in Japan, may pursue their studies at the main campus for a semester or two. Students are selected in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the partnership agreements and only pay tuition for their home institutions.

International Summer Program and International Winter Program

The International Summer Program and International Winter Program are 2-week-long programs that provide opportunities for foreign students wishing to learn about Korea and experience its culture. Students can take classes on Korean history, culture, and business practices and participate in field trips and cultural events.

Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Program

In addition to short-term programs, foreign students may earn their bachelor's degree at Konkuk University. Applicants should meet certain Korean language proficiency requirements, and a 70% tuition waiver is provided to students obtaining TOPIK Level 6.

Campus

KU:L House

KU:L House

Opened in 2006, KU:L House is Konkuk University’s on-campus student residence. It can accommodate up to 3,000 students, the highest number among universities in Seoul. There are four residence halls—Dream Hall, Frontier Hall, Lake Hall, and Vision Hall—with fully furnished single and double rooms. The first two residence halls are for female students and the latter two are for male students. Various communal facilities, including lounges, laundry rooms, cafeterias, cafes, and 24-hour convenience stores, are available.[23]

Sanghuh Memorial Library

Sanghuh Memorial Library serves as Konkuk University’s main library. Opened in 1989, it was the largest library in Asia at the time.[24] As of February 2014, the library had more than 900,000 Korean books and 200,000 foreign language books. Six reading rooms with about 2,200 seats are available,[25] and a reading room on the third floor of the library is opened 24 hours a day.[26] The library has interlibrary loan agreements with Korea University, Dongguk University, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Chung-Ang University.[27]

Sanghuh Memorial Library

Konkuk University Museum

Established in 1963, Konkuk University Museum features 4,532 historical artifacts, including Dongguk Jeongun, one of the National Treasures of South Korea. The museum is housed at the Sanghuh Memorial Hall, the building in which the Chosun School of Politics was founded. Originally located at Nagwon-dong in Jongno-gu, Sanghuh Memorial Hall moved to the current location in 1985, and continues to represent Konkuk University’s roots and rich history. The museum is open to the public, and special lectures on Korean history and culture are given throughout the year.[28][29]

Konkuk University Museum during the spring

Ilgam Lake

Ilgam Lake is located at the center of Konkuk University’s Seoul campus. Originally a swamp, it was converted to an artificial lake when the university moved the campus from Nagwon-dong to the current location in 1954. When indoor ice skating rinks were uncommon in the 1950s and 1960s, the lake was used for national competitions. Occupying 55,661㎡, the lake accounts for approximately one-ninth of the campus area. To maintain water quality, 650 tons of underground water is added daily and a motor boat is used to prevent algae blooms.[30]

Konkuk University's Seoul Campus in the Fall

Stone Tablets

One of the distinctive features of Konkuk University's Seoul campus is the stone tablets on the main streets of the campus. The stones were imported from different countries and bear inscriptions of poetry or quotations from major literary works. On the back of the tablets are translation into Korean and English.

Transportation

Konkuk University Station

The Seoul campus is adjacent to the Konkuk University Station, which is serviced by Seoul Subway Line 2 and Line 7. The circular Line 2 offers easy access to downtown Seoul all within one hour. Line 7 links the northern part of the city to the popular Gangnam District.

Seoul buses #240, #302, #721, #2222, #2223, #2224, #3216, #3220, and #4212 can be taken nearby the campus to different places in the city.[31] From Incheon International Airport, Limousine Bus #6013 is available every 30–40 minutes from 6:15 a.m. to 10:55 p.m for ₩10,000.[32]

Notable Alumni

Academia

Arts and Literature

Business

Civil Service, Law, and Politics

Entertainment

Sports

Popular Culture

Konkuk University has been a popular film location for Korean dramas. Twenty Again, a 2015 Korean television series starring Choi Ji-woo and Lee Sang-yoon was filmed at the main campus in Seoul.[34] Konkuk University Medical Center was also the background for Family's Honor, Loving You a Thousand Times, My Too Perfect Sons, and Surgeon Bong Dal-hee.

Cheese in the Trap, a popular ”webtoon” published on Naver since 2010 with more than 1 million viewers, was written by Konkuk University alumnus Soonkki. Many illustrations were based on Konkuk University buildings, including the museum and library.[35]

Affiliates

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Konkuk University – Educational Philosophy & Goals". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Konkuk University – Chairperson". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Konkuk University – President". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Introduction of Konkuk University Foundation" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ "2016 KU International Summer Program" (PDF). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ "2016 KU International Summer Program" (PDF). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ "2016 KU International Summer Program" (PDF). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "KU College" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  9. ↑ "KU Graduate School" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "Konkuk University – History". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Konkuk University – Chronology" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ "KU Releases New Emblem for its 70th Anniversary". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Konkuk University – President". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Konkuk University – President". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Konkuk University – Organization". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Introduction to the Foundation" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Introduction to the Konkuk University Language Institute" (in Korean). Konkuk University Language Institute. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Yearly Report" (in Korean). JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Is the "Only SKY" Rule Breaking?" (in Korean). Realmeter. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Yonsei Ranks #1 in Student Preference" (in Korean). Chosun Education. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  21. ↑ "2015 Survey Results on Nationwide Business Schools" (in Korean). Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  22. ↑ "A Total of 984 KU Students Studied Abroad in 2015". Konkuk University. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  23. ↑ "KU:L House (Dormitory for Students)". Konkuk University. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  24. ↑ "70 Years of Never-ending Innovation in Education" (in Korean). Chosun. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Current Status/Statistics Summary". Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  26. ↑ "User Hour". Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Chronology and Previous Chief Librarians". Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Introduction to the Museum" (in Korean). Konkuk University Museum. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Chronology" (in Korean). Konkuk University Museum. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Ilgam Lake, A Major Attraction of Our University" (in Korean). Popkon. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Main Campus (Seoul)". Konkuk University. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Limousine Bus Routes" (in Korean). Airport Limousine co., Ltd. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  33. ↑ "미주총련 남문기 회장 건국대서 명예박사". The Hankyoreh. 2009-08-24. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
  34. ↑ "Konkuk University, Background of Choi-Ji woo’s Campus Life in "Twenty Again"" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Cheese in Konkuk University, Background for Webtoon "Cheese in the Trap"" (in Korean). Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Konkuk University Middle School" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Konkuk University High School" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  38. ↑ "Konkuk University Medical Center". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  39. ↑ "Konkuk University Medical Center (KUMC)". Konkuk University. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Konkuk Dairy & Ham". Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Konkuk Asset Management Corporation" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  42. ↑ "The Classic 500" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Smart KU Golf Pavilion" (in Korean). Retrieved February 2, 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, April 17, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.