Ewha strives for excellence through innovation
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Choi Kyung-hee, president of Ewha Womans University, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at her office at the school’s campus in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Nov. 20. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Chung Hyun-chae
Choi Kyung-hee, president of Ewha Womans University, is working to ensure that the nation’s top women’s school provides world-class education through innovation.
She aims to turn Ewha into one of the 100 best universities in the world by 2020. To this end, Choi came up with a slogan that reflects this vision: “Innovation Ewha: Leading Global Excellence.”
“We’re undoubtedly aware of the challenges of women’s colleges these days. This is the time to transform ourselves and revive our past glory,” Choi said. “I’m willing to meet the challenges and push for innovation to achieve excellence in education.”
She pointed out that graduates of women’s colleges are disadvantaged because most of them have a strong background in humanities, social sciences, music and fine arts, which are not in demand by companies and thus, have lower employment rates. This is why she believes women’s colleges place low in university rankings compiled by media companies.
Nurturing global talent
“Nonetheless, Ewha has been doing quite well, even better than coed colleges, and we will focus on what we do best ― women’s education,” Choi said.
“We can turn our students into global talent, even though they are not outstanding students when they enter the school. This is our mission.”
At the same time, Ewha is making efforts to educate women all over the world. For example, the Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP) has been subsidizing school fees and living expenses of female students from developing countries since 2006. Likewise, the joint Ewha-KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) program helps women from third world countries earn master’s degrees.
“Only Ewha provides those global programs,” Choi said, stressing the need for education tailored for women. “Women still face gender issues and other problems. This is why women’s education is necessary.”
Choi Kyung-hee, third from right, president of Ewha Womans University, chats with students on Aug. 7, after she was elected to lead the university on July 29. / Courtesy of Ewha Womans Universit
Convergence of knowledge
In order to meet the local and global demand for educated workers, Ewha has decided to restructure its departments by merging majors.
“For example, we will change the clothing and textiles major into the fashion industry major (a tentative name), in which students can learn industry-relevant areas, from design to textiles. And in the nutritional science and food management major, students will learn about the food service industry as well as nutrition,” Choi said.
The president believes this kind of convergence of knowledge would be the breakthrough needed to improve students’ employment rates.
“We will help students successfully find jobs but will never compromise our academics. Ewha will boost both the academic and practical parts of the education it offers,” Choi said.
Innovation is the key
As the youngest president of the school since the 1980s, Choi said she is ready to make a breakthrough in every part of the school by communicating with the students, professors and officials. The president held an open discussion with all professors last month, which was well received by the participants.
“Even the best policies would fail unless the concerned parties reach a consensus,” Choi said.
She has a diverse range of experiences as an educator, including serving as the presidential secretary for education and culture and working at the office of student affairs at Ewha Womans University.
“Were it not for my previous experiences, I wouldn’t be able to understand students as well as I do now,” Choi said.
“I hope that my students would talk to me more often by e-mail or in person and could spread their wings with the school’s full support.”