 chairman of the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) |
The newly elected head of a universities’ association Thursday said he will revamp the current admissions officer system to help successful applicants better adapt to their new academic environment and consequently more fully develop their talents and potential.
``The admissions officer system must be upgraded in terms of quality, not quantity. The whole point of the system is to identify students with potential,” Kim Young-gil, chairman of the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE), told reporters after the council’s general assembly meeting held in Busan. “If we fail to provide them with adequate higher education, the system has failed in its purpose.’’
The admissions officer system is an alternative screening method that envisions selecting successful applicants, not based on test scores but on officers’ interviews that focus on a student’s potential and special merits.
His remark came after a young student who entered Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology through the system recently committed suicide allegedly due to the stress from being unable to catch up with his classmates who graduated from elite high schools.
``Attracting talented students is important, but schools must work together to make sure such students are developing their talents properly. The KCUE must work together with schools and students to nurture an ideal environment,’’ Kim said.
Kim, who concurrently serves as president of Handong University, also suggested starting special programs that could work as a substitute for both students and schools in realizing their potential.
``The current system calls for uniqueness and hidden abilities and talent. But every student has a different talent. There can be a student who is good at science but cannot produce a good score in the annual scholastic achievement test. With the help of the government, universities can arrange special programs that can help each student realize his or her inner ambition and potential,’’ he said.
Kim also emphasized that local universities must focus more on research and not just on education.
``The combined goal of education and research at universities is ultimately intended to contribute to society and in the 21st century, it’s more important to search for unknown answers rather than passing knowledge that is already well known. It is the KCUE’s job to mediate and guide students who will be able to compete on the global stage.’’
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