Ewha to Open Women-Friendly Science Courses

Lee Bae-yong

By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter

Ewha Womans University will introduce women-friendly science programs as early as next year, said school president Lee Bae-yong at a press meeting to celebrate the first anniversary of her presidency.

Ewha is now in the process of developing an eight-year doctorate course in science and engineering. ``Most women are compelled to stop their studies due to the constraints of marriage and childcare,'' Lee said.

The course, which is shorter than the general 10-year doctorate course, will encourage female scientists and engineers to become more highly educated.

Also, the women-friendly school plans to establish the ``EMORACTIVE Research Center'' to lead ``emotional engineering,'' which combines psychology, computer engineering and design.

Established in 1996 for the first time among women-only universities in the world the college of engineering has three divisions: Information & communications engineering; architecture; and environmental & food technology.

Lee also outlined globalization projects of the school, under the banner of ``Global Ewha 2010.'' The plan will have the school set up its global outreach programs in more cities such as L.A., London, Berlin, and Tokyo. It hopes to complete its global outreach programs in 20 cities within two years so that it can strengthen its overseas network with foreign universities.

Currently, Ewha has launched programs in New York and Beijing.

In addition, Lee plans to increase the number of students for overseas programs. The school aims to send 60 percent of its freshmen, 1,900 out of about 3,200, overseas for student exchange programs, faculty-led programs, study-abroad programs, or language courses by 2010.

Also, Ewha will offer a major in Asian studies at its Scranton College to further develop East Asian studies. ``So far we have focused highly on Western countries and the U.S. However, we need to learn more about East Asian countries where Korea belongs,'' Lee said.

kswho@koreatimes.co.kr

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