IB education programs offer innovative alternative

Do Mi-hyang, dean of Namseoul University IGS / Courtesy of Namseoul University

Dean of Namseoul University IGS speaks about school's vision

By Sa Dong-seok

As the world is changing rapidly, the importance of educational institutions that nurture capable people cannot be overestimated. The International Graduate School (IGS) at Namseoul University, located in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, offers career-focused, full-time master's degree programs, focusing on the unique needs of international students. Taught in English, the IGS aims to provide educational excellence for students from all over the world. The following are excerpts from an interview with Do Mi-hyang, dean of Namseoul University IGS. ― ED.

Question: How is the International Graduate School being operated?

Answer: The IGS has five departments, including Global Techno Entrepreneurship, Global Addiction Rehabilitation Counseling and International Education. Students from such countries as Uzbekistan, Pakistan, the Philippines and India are joining forces with foreign professors to run the school. The professors from each department have been counseling students individually to help them study and live safely here. As a result of this excellent student management, the percentage of international students who drop out of their studies is remarkably low.

Q: Please explain the IGS' International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate (IBEC) course in detail.

A: IB programs have been recognized as the innovative alternative that enables students to improve their thinking power and boost their creativity. Namseoul University obtained IB training school certification ― Korea's first DP (Diploma Program) for students aged 16-19 and Korea's sole MYP (Middle Years Program) for students aged 11-16 ― and is operating the IBEC course.

The IBEC course is led by the International Baccalaureate Educators' Network (IBEN) and Korean professors. The Department of International Education has a two-year course and separately a one-year non-subject course.

First-term graduates of the IBEC course have already been produced and second-term and third-term courses are now under way. The fourth-term course is recruiting new students for next year. Secondary school teachers, as well as private institute instructors and international school teachers, apply to study in the IBEC course. Anyone who has a teaching certificate or a career in education can apply, so I hope that many people will play a key role in education through this course.

This photo shows the ceremony on the first International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate (IBEC) course, July 25. Courtesy of Namseoul University

Q: Please explain the role of the IB Education Center.

A: The IB Education Center, affiliated with the IGS, opened in October this year to operate IB courses, which had been offered as non-subject programs, more systematically. The center will offer high-quality training courses, one-on-one mentoring services, field-based classes and a range of publicity activities through social media. Currently, it is signing memoranda of agreement with IB schools at home and abroad to provide students with a broad range of practical opportunities. In the future, we'll introduce the IB PYP (Primary Years Program) certificate course for toddlers and elementary school children in our bid to be the country's frontrunner in IB education.

Q: Explain the future vision of the IGS.

A: The IGS has been changing to be in step with demands in an era of internationalization and rapidly changing social trends and aims to nurture outstanding individuals by attracting more international students. We'll try our best to create a place of learning where students with a variety of nationalities as well as Korean students can acquire and share knowledge and run educational programs that will help equip students with expertise and creativity needed in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The IGS also plans to establish high-tech engineering departments, operate language training courses for international students, support students' job-seeking activities, including participating in job fairs, and open programs that help students' learning and living adaptation.

Ultimately, the graduate school will cooperate with our experienced teaching staff so that talented young people from around the world can learn Korea's culture, enjoy an opportunity to learn safely and show leadership in the international community.