"Fostering global talents pursuing future values"
President Kim Gun-hee,
Duksung Women's University

Duksung Women's University operates two 'Associated type King Sejong Institutes' in Cambodia and Taiwan in collaboration with KSIF. We met with President Kim Gun-hee, who is nurturing future-oriented global talents leading the globalization of Korean language and culture in the era of internationalization and multiculturalism.

Hello, President? I heard that you, with a Ph.D. in Food Science, assumed the role of President at Duksung Women's University as the first alumna to do so in 2022, following various activities in the field of Food Science, including serving as the Director of the Korea Nutrition Education Evaluation Institute. You must have a deep affection for Duksung Women's University. I'm curious about the main projects you've been promoting during your tenure.
 

Since assuming office as President on January 20, 2022, I have been promoting student-centered educational innovation and attracting international exchange students as main initiatives. In particular, I have been focusing on Official Development Assistance(ODA) projects for over 30 years. Based on this experience, I have a keen interest in university-level education ODA projects and related KSI projects. Furthermore, we are making efforts to utilize the Korean language and Korean studies-related infrastructure of our university to provide high-quality education programs to foreigners.
 

Duksung Women's University operates a Korean Studies and Global Education Institute, specializing in "Korean Language Education" and "Global Education." Leveraging this, we operate two "Associated type KSIs" in partnership with KSIF. Could you please provide some insights into the two KSIs operated by Duksung Women's University and the current status of international exchange with foreign universities?
 
 

(Left photo) ‘KSI Phnom Penh’ operated in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural University(RAU) in Cambodia by Duksung Women's University
(Right photo) ‘KSI New Taipei’ operated by Duksung Women's University in collaboration with Hsing Wu University in Taiwan

The Department of Korean Language Education at the Future Talent College aims to cultivate Korean language teachers and researchers who lead the globalization of Korean language and culture, tailored to the era of internationalization and multiculturalism. The Global Education Institute, a Korean language training institution, has established itself as an excellent Korean language education institution by providing high-quality Korean language education and diverse Korean cultural experience programs conducted by professional instructors holding a master's degree or higher in Korean language education. Currently, about 300 trainees from 20 countries worldwide, including Government Invitation Program for International Students(GKS) scholars and KSI-recommended scholarship students, are dedicated to learning Korean.

Duksung Women's University is also actively engaged in various international cooperation projects, including fostering a sister university relationship with the Royal Agricultural University(RAU) in Cambodia and supporting the development of leading international cooperation universities. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in 2020-2021, we have initiated a pre-KSI and dispatched excellent instructors to provide systematic Korean language education curriculum. The ‘KSI Phnom Penh’ offers free Korean language introductory and beginner classes to locals, with approximately 90 students currently enrolled. In addition to Korean language classes, it has received a great response to various Korean cultural experience activities such as Taekwondo and traditional Korean food making.
 
 

KSI Phnom Penh conducted activities to experience traditional Korean culture

The ‘KSI New Taipei’ operated in collaboration with the Hsing Wu University in Taiwan, had 36 students enrolled in Korean beginner and preparatory classes for studying in Korea in the first half of this year, following a pilot operation last year. Since 2019, the ‘Hsing Wu-Duksung Korean Language Education Center’ has been operating in collaboration with the Hsing Wu University and was designated as a new KSI in 2023. In response to the demand for learners due to the recent Hallyu wave, efforts are being made to strengthen Korean language education in the Taoyuan area and western regions of Taiwan.

Duksung Women's University is expanding opportunities for student exchanges, such as sending volunteer groups, and activating exchanges with sister universities through the operation of these associated type King Sejong Institutes. Through educational support for developing countries like Cambodia and operating the national brand, KSI, we aim to realize the globalization and internationalization strategy of our university.
 
 

Conducting events such as ‘Making Korean Traditional Lanterns and Cups’ at KSI New Taipei

Duksung Women's University sponsors language courses for outstanding learners, including winners of KSI Speaking and Writing Contest and KSI-recommended scholarship students. Last year, learners from the KSI Candy, Sri Lanka, and the KSI Korean Cultural Center, Italy underwent language training at Duksung Women's University. This year, a KSI learner from Jordan is currently undergoing language training at Duksung Women's University. When comparing outstanding learners from the KSI with other international students, do they have any distinctive features or differences?
 

Since 2023, we have been participating in the scholarship program of KSIF. KSI recommended scholarship students are assigned to intermediate and advanced classes in the regular Korean language program at the Global Education Institute at Duksung Women's University, based on their skills honed at local KSIs. Students from KSI prepare well for classes during their training period and actively participate in cultural experiences and extracurricular activities.

Sachini Nisansala Dayananda, a learner from KSI Candy, Sri Lanka, improved her Korean language skills and obtained a TOPIK level 4 certificate. After completing a one-year training program, she confidently entered Duksung Women's University as a freshman majoring in Global Convergence Studies, receiving the ‘Global Encouragement Scholarship’ as a foreign student. Through KSI, she achieved her dream of studying in Korea. Currently, Nagam Dweiri, an outstanding awardee of the 2023 KSI Speaking Contest from KSI Amman, Jordan, is enhancing her Korean communication skills in an advanced course and taking preparatory courses for Korean graduate school classes.

KSI scholarship students actively participate in various foreigner-invited events and external activities, motivating other trainees to work harder in learning Korean and igniting their passion.
 
 

(Left photo, first from the left) Ms. Sachini Nisansala Dayananda, who enrolled as a scholarship student at Duksung Women's University after completing her language training
(Right photo) Ms. Nagam Dweiri, currently undertaking language training at Duksung Women's University Global Education Center after winning an award at the ‘23 King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking Contest

Recent KSI learners' purposes for learning Korean are becoming more diverse, extending beyond mere hobbies or interests to include academic, educational, and employment goals. I'm curious about your thoughts as the operating organization of KSI regarding foreigners viewing and studying Korean as a means of self-realization.
 

We increasingly feel that the interest and love that people worldwide have for Korea and the Korean language are growing broader and deeper over time. We keenly sense that the popularity of KSI, firmly established as a leading brand in promoting Korean language and culture, continues to rise.

It's truly gratifying to see Korean receiving so much love and attention from people around the world. I'm delighted to hear that learning Korean isn't just about the language itself but about enriching one's life through it. And I'm truly impressed and grateful for the dedication of these students. At the two KSIs operated in collaboration with Duksung Women's University, we will strive to understand the diverse purposes of learners in studying Korean and provide generous support to help them take one step further through the Korean language.
 
 

Students from KSI Phnom Penh who participated in the ‘2023 Jeollabuk-do Education Office's overseas cultural experience program’

Lastly, since May, preliminary rounds for the ‘2024 KSI Korean Speaking and Writing Contest’ have commenced at KSIs worldwide. If you have any words of encouragement for KSI learners aspiring to win the competition or study in Korea, please share them.
 

In celebration of the birthday of King Sejong, the creator of Hangul, preliminary rounds for the Korean Speaking and Writing Contest have been taking place at KSIs worldwide since May. I hope you'll enjoy a brilliant time showcasing the Korean language skills you've learned at KSI. Remembering the moment you first fell in love with Korean, I believe that sharing your sincere stories will lead to excellent results. I cheer for your courageous challenges.