Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Korea Glocal Education Fair kicks off aiming for symbiotic, sustainable future
Visitors tour the Korea Glocal Education Fair 2024 at EXPO Ocean Park in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. The fair will run through Sunday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-hyun
The inaugural Korea Glocal Education Fair kicked off in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday.
Under the theme of "Education for Coexistence and Sustainable Future," the five-day event, running through Sunday, aims to foster discussions on future education policies, share global educational practices and address evolving challenges in the digital era.
The term "glocal," a combination of the words global and local, underscores the significance of regional characteristics within the broader context of globalization.
Co-hosted by the South Jeolla Province Office of Education, the Ministry of Education, South Jeolla Province and the North Gyeongsang Province Office of Education, the fair is dedicated to exploring a new educational paradigm known as glocal education.
The event sees the participation of 22 countries, including the United States, Germany, Canada, Vietnam, India and Australia, with attendance expected to surpass 160,000 visitors, according to the South Jeolla Province Office of Education.
Spanning five sections, the fair features a future education conference, a glocal future classroom, a future education exhibition, cultural and art exchanges and a future education festival. These programs aim to showcase diverse future education directions, such as personalized learning support and international cooperation focused on multicultural families.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho speaks during the opening ceremony of the Korea Glocal Education Fair 2024 at EXPO Ocean Park in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. Yonhap
The future education conference features lectures from renowned experts, including Michael Sandel, a Harvard University professor and author of the bestseller “Justice,” who discussed the concept of education of coexistence on Wednesday. Additionally, the conference will host a Korea-OECD international seminar focusing on innovation in education during the digital transition era.
The glocal future classrooms demonstrate customized learning through AI-based analysis and international cooperation using digital technology.
Over 137 teachers from South Jeolla Province are conducting project-based classes for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students, totaling 59 hours of instruction for 1,100 students over five days.
Students from Bogil Elementary School in Wan Island, South Jeolla Province and Ulleung Elementary School in North Gyeongsang Province are participating via Zoom, along with schools in Shanghai in China, Osaka in Japan and Uzbekistan.
These future classrooms are equipped with AI platforms, electronic blackboards, LED monitors, personal devices and learning support robots. Visitors can observe classes through transparent walls, access teaching and learning plans via QR codes and view real-time learning information on installed screens during the fair.
Kim Dae-jung, the governor of education for South Jeolla Province, delivers an opening speech of the Korea Glocal Education Fair 2024 at EXPO Ocean Park in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Wednesday. Yonhap
It also showcases future classroom models from schools in South Jeolla Province that actively use these advanced systems, providing a firsthand look at the future classrooms.
The exhibition space, prepared by the education ministry, each provincial education office nationwide and over 100 domestic and international companies and institutions from 22 countries, offers immersive experiences in future education.
In addition, the fair includes a variety of future education festivals, including cultural and artistic exchanges, bilingual speaking competitions and robot competitions, with participation from over 400 students from seven countries.
"South Jeolla Province aimed to address the current educational challenges and inspire hope for the future through this fair," said Kim Dae-jung, the governor of education for South Jeolla Province.
"We seek to introduce a new education paradigm that integrates regional relevance, practical applications, and future-focused strategies that can serve as a global model."