GU University of Queensland to Expand Courses on Korean Studies
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
This is the 19th in a series of interviews with heads of the world's top universities. ― ED.
The University of Queensland (UQ) plans to have more Korean courses gradually from this year in line with increasing academic exchanges with Korea.
Korea is Queensland's third-largest trading partner and its language and culture have long been a source of study in the school.
According to the school, it has recently seen Korean student enrolments increase by 23 percent. In particular, Korean students undertaking undergraduate programs at the school has increased 40 percent over the past two years.
The school Vice-chancellor and President Paul Greenfield said ``It is possible to include Korean courses in most of our degree programs from business management and law, through to engineering, social work and journalism,'' in an interview with The Korea Times.
``The growing nature of our collaborative activities in Korea in research and student exchange indicate that new relationships will no doubt be established with new partners where there is mutual recognition of a need for a more formal structure to our relationship,'' the school head said. ``I look forward to furthering relationships between UQ and Korea and encourage Korean students contemplating university study in Australia to include our school in their university comparisons.''
Established in 1909 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queensland' s separation from the colony of New South Wales, UQ provides three campuses in an idyllic south-east Queensland location. ``All campuses offer a vibrant, safe and multicultural environment in close proximity to Brisbane, Australia's most livable city, and some of the world' s most beautiful natural attractions, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island, and the Daintree Rainforest,'' the president said.
UQ has more than 2,408 academic staff dedicated to teaching and research. The school head stressed the excellence of their professors saying many of them recognized internationally in their fields.
``Their ability and dedication is proven by the fact that UQ academics have won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other university. UQ's commitment to teaching excellence is further recognized by a 100 percent success rate in the Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning,'' he said.
UQ has a long tradition of links and agreements with Korea. ``A key part of many of UQ's relationships in Korea is the importance we place on creating opportunities for our students through student exchange,'' the president said.
Its oldest exchange partner in Korea is Yonsei University. Exchange has also been achieved at Ewha Woman's University, and Korea University, with whom UQ also maintains a strong linkage as members of Universitas 21.
The president also visited Seoul last year for the signing of a partnership between the school and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST). The agreement is to develop and patent technology to convert sugarcane into green plastics and chemicals. Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie witnessed the signing of the agreement, which will provide a competitive advantage for both Korea and Australia in a $2 trillion global biochemical industry. This industry is expected to shift from reliance on oil to reliance on biomass in the coming decades.
``I am very pleased to see that as part of a key step in increasing student mobility between Australia and Korea, we are currently in the process of finalizing a new exchange agreement with Seoul National University,'' he said.
Having served Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2002 to 31 December 2007, Professor Greenfield started to head the school from 1 January 2008. He was also executive dean of the faculty of engineering, physical sciences and architecture and pro-vice-chancellor (Physical Sciences and Engineering). After gaining a bachelor of engineering in chemical engineering, from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Professor Greenfield also completed a PhD there.