By Jhoo Dong-chan
Duksung Women’s University plans to become coeducational, according to its new President Rhie Won-bok.
In a message posted on the university’s website, Tuesday, Rhie, who was named to the post last week, said Duksung is facing many disadvantages as a women-only school.
“Our graduates should face an endless competition regardless of sex. We should discuss converting to a school for both sexes to adapt to changing educational trends,” Rhie said.
Duksung has never accepted male students since its foundation in 1920.
If it becomes co-educational, it may have to change its name, school officials said.
Duksung has had a difficulty in attracting students. The government’s subsidy for the school was also cut last year after it was included among the lowest 15 percent of underperforming universities in a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education.
Four women-only universities transformed into coeducational schools in the 1990s.
In 1994, Sungshim Women’s University and Hyosung Women’s University were merged into the Catholic University of Korea and the Catholic University of Daegu, respectively.
Sangmyung Women’s University became coeducational in 1996. So did Busan Women’s University in 1997, and it changed its name to Silla University.