Yonsei’s in-bound globalization policy using EAEB.

 FOR MANY years, numerous Korean students crossed lands and seas just to acquire supposedly a more advanced education rather than studying in Korea. About ten trillion won and 10,000 Korean people are draining out from Korea for such educational purposes each year. For so long, Koreans were taught to seek outside the well in which they are stuck in if a problem strikes. However, Yonseians no longer need to cross oceans and ignore their small well to seek better educational opportunities. For right here, in Korea, the UC Berkeley will open a campus through the EAEB (East Asian Education Base) by 2010 and this is just the start of many universities to come. Thus, before you look outside your well for better scope of view, turn your attention into your own well first!
The grand plan for globalizing Yonsei
Yonsei University has contracted with UC Berkeley to build the EAEB for UC Berkeley. This base will open approximately in March 2010 at the Yonsei Songdo Global Academic Complex. This EAEB will send its faculty to the Songdo Complex and classes will be offered to both Yonsei and UC Berkeley students and in return, Yonsei will offer research opportunities to UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley was chosen specifically because Yonsei Univ. has interacted with UC System (UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine and etc.) since 1986 and more than 300 students have participated in student exchange programs annually. Already there are booming numbers of professors from UC Berkeley who have volunteered to teach at the International Summer School at Yonsei. With such active communication, Yonsei and UC Bekeley’s future seems rosy.
“This EAEB is a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between the two. UC Berkeley has always been interested in East Asian studies. Using this Songdo Ccomplex as its research base, its students can study and research about Korean history, culture and language more freely,” said Lee Doo-won (Prof., Dept. of Econ.) who is in charge of Yonsei Songdo Global Academic Complex.

 

Through the EAEB, Yonsei Univ. can become more globalized than ever as it secures internationally prestigious faculty and curriculum on the Songdo campus. In return, UC Berkeley will gain a strategically superior position as it secures East Asian base for continuing its active research on the area. As John Lie (Dean, International and Area Studies of UC Berkeley) commented, “Yonsei Univ. has an opportunity to emerge as the leading global university in eastern Asia. The potential is great.” 
Yonsei Univ.’s passionate move to attract UC Berkeley is more of a trend than an exception in the rapidly globalizing Korean society. “It is because, first, educational institutions can encourage foreign companies to root firmly in Korea. Second, Korean students who study abroad can return to Korea. Third, Korea wants to make Incheon the research hub of East Asia” said Kim Jong-tae from Education & Medical Team of the MOE (Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development).
EAEB plan, be aware

 
 
 
 Lee Doo-won (Prof., Dept. of Econ.) who is in charge of Yonsei Songdo Global Academic Complex
 

Though the movements toward branching foreign universities on Korean soil are brisk, there are still some obstacles that block the natural influx of such educational institutions.
One of the problems is that there are a lot of legal restrictions that bar foreign universities from coming into Korea. For example, Jeju Island had been pushing through a contract with W University, whose name could not be distinguished for the sake of its privacy, since August 2004 to develop W Univ.’s branch school. However, it has failed in its plan due to various limitations. “W Univ. has started to ask for more than Korea’s mere offering of the land. Moreover, it began to demand Korea’s financial support for management, buildings and other capital in the contract. Lacking such financial incentive from Korea, W Univ. has been reluctant to perform according to the initial contract” said Han Woong, Director of Investment Sector of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
Reasons for such demands come from Korean government’s various limitations that restrict the foreign school’s establishment on Korean soil. For example, it does not let institutions to remit their profit such as tuition to their headquarters abroad. Due to such constraint, foreign collaborations refuse to come to Korea due to lack of financial incentives.
In addition, there are voices of concern among the students on whether the EAEB plan of Yonsei will be successful or not. Jung Jun-oh (Soph., Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engin.) is one of them. “Of course, prestigious school title, faculty and facility are important. However, the biggest merit of studying abroad is to interact with many talented people from all over the world and compete with them face to face. Thus, to succeed, the EAEB should be preceded based on deep analysis of why it should particularly be UC Berkeley and how it will attract many intellectuals around the globe” said Jung.
Industrialize and professionalize, dear education sector of Korea
However, the situation has greatly changed from 2003 to now. The Korean government is planning to be more hospitable toward foreign universities looking to branch in Korea. For example, enhancing the competitiveness of Korean education system is one of the priorities when making the free economic zones. “Though it is not made public yet, the government is pushing through a project in charge of attracting globally prestigious research centers and universities to Songdo” said Kim. When asked Han the question if government intervention is really necessary, Han replied that “from an educator’s standpoint, I wish I could say we have to focus on mainly the education but we really have to stay neck to neck in today’s global competition. Thus, it is important for the government to actively engage in this situation.”
In the short run, it is also important that a more effective solution to UC Berkeley not offering school degrees should be provided. The EAEB project will not provide official UC Berkley’s degrees to the students. The question would arise then how many Korean students would attend the EAEB if there is no visible fruit that is earned from their attendance. If official degrees cannot be offered, Yonsei Univ. has to provide alternative certificates. These certificates need to convince students that courses at EAEB would thoroughly help them shape their career.
In the long run, it is critical to industrialize the education sector. Education should not always be protected from market economy but rather, be included to strengthen its competitiveness. Providing better quality education is one way to fortify and globalize EAEB as well as Korea’s education sector. “Prestigious universities attract many students without necessarily branching in other countries. To minimize their risk, they might ask for financial support from Korea” said Han, emphasizing the role of the government interference in the education market.
It starts right here, at Yonsei
Yonsei Univ. is standing in the forefront of Korean society’s massive move toward planting foreign education institutions in the free economic zones. It would heighten the competitiveness of Yonsei Univ.’s education sector by securing Berkeley’s first-rate faculty and students. In addition, such move would also encourage both Korean students and East Asian students alike to study in the East Asian area rather than crossing the vast ocean.
Yonseians, you have always looked abroad to seek academic opportunities. However, this time, look inside. Look into your well. There are far more chances of studying from prominent professors and with intellectual students. It starts here. Right at the EAEB on the Yonsei Songdo Global Academic Complex starting from 2010.
<Number of Yonsei-UC SAP (Study Abroad Program) students>
Year
Total number of students dispatched
Students dispatched to Berkeley
2006
63
40
<Number of UC professors participated in the 2007 International Summer School>
Classes offered
Classes by UC professors
Classes by Berkeley professors
Total
38
8
<Number of UC students participated in International Summer School>
Year
Total number of students
Total number of UC students
2006
435
161
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