SKY (universities)

SKY is an acronym used to refer to the three most prestigious universities in South Korea: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.^[1] The term is widely used in South Korea, both in media broadcast and by the universities themselves.^[2][3]

In South Korea, admission to one of the SKY universities is widely considered as determining one's career and social status.^[4][5] Many of South Korea's most influential politicians, lawyers, physicians, engineers, professors, and policy makers have graduated from one of the SKY universities.

Members

Institution	Type	Established	Nickname	Undergraduate enrollment	Postgraduate enrollment	Motto
Seoul National University	National	1946	Gwanak Cranes	16,325 (2010)[6]	10,616 (2010)[6]	Veritas lux mea The truth is my light 진리는 나의 빛
Korea University	Private	1905	Anam Tigers	27,272 (2013)[7]	10,345 (2013)[7]	Libertas, Justitia, Veritas Freedom, Justice, Truth 자유, 정의, 진리
Yonsei University	Private	1885	Sinchon Eagles	18,588 (2009)[8]	10,498 (2009)[8]	The truth will set you free (John 8:32) 진리가 너희를 자유케 하리라 (요한복음 8:32)

History

• 1895: The former institute of Seoul National University College of Law was established.
• 1905: Bosung College established
• 1924: Headquarters and a preparatory departments of Keijō Imperial University was founded by Japan. This university is the main predecessor to Seoul National University.
• 1926: Three Departments (Law, Medical Sciences, and Human Sciences) of Keijō Imperial University were opened by Japan. These were the first modern university classes in Korea. This university was the only university in Korea at the time due to oppression by Japan. The Japanese government did not approve the establishment of any university except Keijō Imperial University.
• 1946 August: Seoul National University founded by merging several Japanese institutions - including Keijō Imperial University - of higher education around Seoul
• 1946 August : Bosung College renamed Korea University
• 1946 August: Yonhi College renamed Yonhi University
• 1957 January: Severance Medical College and Hospital and Yonhi University merged into Yonsei University

National Recognition

In 2010, it was reported that 46.3% of high government officials and 50% of CEOs of major financial industries were graduates of SKY universities.^[9] Also, over 60% of the students who passed the 2010 Korean Bar examination were graduates of SKY universities.^[10]

Concerns

There have been a number of SKY university students who have dropped out of school to protest against South Korea's overheated academic elitism.^[11]

See also

• Yonsei–Korea (Korea-Yonsei) rivalry

Further reading

• Csizmazia Roland A., Jambor, Paul Z. "Korean Higher Education on the Rise: Time to Learn From the Success - Comparative Research at the Tertiary Education Level", Human Resource Management Academic Research Society: International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development,Volume 3, Issue 2 (March, 2014)
• Jambor, Paul Z, "Why South Korean Universities Have Low International Rankings", Academic Leadership: Volume 7 - Issue 1, February 20, 2009
• Jambor, Paul Z, "Why South Korean Universities Have Low International Rankings - Part II: The Student Side of the Equation", Academic Leadership: Volume 7 - Issue 3, August 10, 2009
• Park, Chung-a, "Students Hold Anti-Exam Festival", The Korea Times, November 24, 2005, retrieved December 18, 2005

References

1. Asia Times Online :: Korea News and Korean Business and Economy, Pyongyang News
2. , , , , ,
3. , , , , (articles in English)
4. New York Times, "A Taste of Failure Fuels an Appetite for Success at South Korea’s Cram Schools"
5. • "Life and death exams in South Korea" by James Card, Asia Times Online, November 30, 2005, retrieved December 18, 2005.
6. "Seoul National University Facts" (in Korean). Seoul National University. Retrieved August 22, 2008.
7. http://www.academyinfo.go.kr/schoolAction.do?process=schoolDisclose00&schoolCd=53018000&orgcode=1&sry_yy=2008&univ_gubun=U&estb=3&dKind=E
8. http://www.academyinfo.go.kr/schoolAction.do?process=schoolDisclose00&schoolCd=53080000&orgcode=1&sry_yy=2008&univ_gubun=U&estb=3&dKind=E
9. http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=101&oid=013&aid=0002007480
10. http://news.lec.co.kr/gisaView/detailView.html?menu_code=10&gisaCode=L001012006090001&tblName=tblNews
11. Kim (김), Gyeong-su (경수) (2011-11-17). 명문대 줄잇는 ‘공개 자퇴’ 왜？. 파이낸셜뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-11-20.