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건국대학교 | |
 Emblem of Konkuk University | |
Other name | KU |
|---|---|
Motto in English | Sincerity (성, 誠), Fidelity (신, 信), Righteousness (의, 義)[1] |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1931; 94 years ago (1931) |
| Chairperson | Jaeun Yoo[2] |
| President | Jong-Pil Won[3] |
| Director | 7 (incl. chairperson): Choi Hongkon, Choi Gapshik, Cho Younsoon, Jin Choon Jo, Kim Jin Eok, Jun Hong Moo |
Academic staff | 1,200 full-time faculty, 1,300 part-time faculty and international 70[4] |
Administrative staff | 500[4] |
| Students | 29,600[4] |
Other students | 2,500 international students[4] |
| Location | , South Korea 37°32′31″N127°04′35″E / 37.54194°N 127.07639°E /37.54194; 127.07639 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Green |
| Mascot | KonWoo & KonHee (Bull) |
| Website | konkuk |
 | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 건국대학교 |
| Hanja | 建國大學校 |
| RR | Geonguk daehakgyo |
| MR | Kŏn'guk taehakkyo |
 | |
Konkuk University (Korean: 건국대학교;Hanja: 建國大學校) is a private university founded in South Korea in 1931.
Konkuk University is known for its veterinary and art colleges at the Seoul campus. It has two campuses: one inSeoul and one inChungju. TheSeoul campus is located near theHan River, by theKonkuk University Station (subway line no.2).
The university was founded in 1931 by Dr. Yoo Seok-chang (pen name: Sanghuh). It was originally known as the Chosen School of Politics (Korean: 조선정치학관;Hanja: 朝鮮政治學館), and was ajunior college for future political leaders. In 1959, the school became a "comprehensive university" and was renamed to Konkuk University (from건국;建國;Konkuk;lit. 'founding a nation').[5]
In 2016, Konkuk University celebrated its 70th anniversary. A new emblem featuring Sanghuh Hall, the original building for the Chosun School of Politics, was released in December 2015. The university also unveiled a second ox statue and held a major academic symposium.[6][7]
In 2017, Konkuk University was selected for the Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation (LINC+) project by theMinistry of Education and theNational Research Foundation of Korea and has been accredited by the Korean University Accreditation Institute (KUAI), of theKorean Council for University Education, for two consecutive periods.
Yoo served as the first president of Konkuk University from 1959 to 1961.[8] In September 2016, Sanggi Min became the university's 20th president.[9] The university has four executive vice presidents: provost andexecutive vice president for academic affairs, executive vice president for public affairs, executive vice president for research, and executive vice president for medicine.[10] The board of the Konkuk University Foundation, which governs the university, includes Chairperson Ja-eun Yoo and eleven other board members who each serve 4-year terms.[11]
The Seoul campus is composed of thirteen undergraduate colleges and thirteen graduate schools; the GLOCAL Campus in Chungju is composed of seven undergraduate colleges and four graduate schools.
Konkuk University was ranked as 7th best university in South Korea in 2022.[12][13][14][15]
Seoul Campus (undergraduate)
Seoul Campus (graduate)
Chungju GLOCAL campus (undergraduate)
Chungju GLOCAL campus (graduate)
Konkuk University has 58 affiliated and specialresearch institutes in the areas ofhumanities,social sciences, andnatural sciences.
In 1990, Konkuk University Language Institute began to provide instruction in English and other foreign languages. Courses on Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese are available to Konkuk University students and the general public. In 1998, the institute introduced Korean language programs for foreigners with short-term courses lasting 1–2 weeks, as well as longer 3-month courses. The institute also provides training for Korean language teachers.[16]
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| QS World[17] | =654 (2026) |
Established in 1963, Konkuk University Museum features 4,532 historical artifacts, includingDongguk Jeongun, one of theNational Treasures of South Korea. The museum originated inNagwon-dong,Jongno-gu, and in 1985 moved to the Sanghuh Memorial Hall, the building in which the Chosun School of Politics was founded. The museum is open to the public, and special lectures on Korean history and culture are given throughout the year.[18][19]
Sanghuh Memorial Library serves as Konkuk University's main library. Opened in 1989, it was the largest library in Asia at the time.[20] As of February 2014, the library had more than 900,000 Korean books and 200,000 foreign language books. Six reading rooms with about 2,200 seats are available,[21] and a reading room on the third floor of the library is open 24 hours a day.[22]
Ilgam Lake is located at the center of Konkuk University's Seoul campus. This swamp was converted to an artificial lake when the university moved the campus fromNagwon-dong to the current location in 1954. In the 1950s and 1960s, indoor ice-skating rinks were uncommon, and the lake was used for national competitions. Occupying 55,661 m2 (599,130 sq ft), the lake accounts for approximately one-ninth of the campus area. To maintain water quality, 650 tons of underground water is added daily, and a motorboat is used to preventalgal blooms.[23]
Konkuk University has more than 70 student clubs.
Foundation Day is an annual ceremony that commemorates Yoo Seok-chang's founding of Konkuk University on May 15, 1946. It is held for students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and guests. Awards are presented to the faculty and staff who have contributed to the university. Around the same time, Konkuk University's student association organizes the Ilgam Lake Festival. This three-day long event features performances and exhibitions by college departments and student clubs. Famous K-pop celebrities are also invited to perform in a concert.
In late October, colleges and student clubs stage the Fall Art Festival to showcase their academic achievements and artistic talent. This three-day long event is organized by the Student Club Association.[24]
On May 3 in 2016, Konkuk University announced that it was selected by the Korean government to participate in the Program for Industrial Needs-Matched Education (PRIME). Higher education institutions receive incentives for restructuring and training students to meet the society's needs under the project. Of the 75 universities that applied, Konkuk University,Ewha Womans University,Hanyang University's ERICA campus, and 18 other universities were chosen. As a result, Konkuk University is expected to receive up to 450 billionwon in government funding over three years until 2018. More than 15% will be allocated for scholarships, and a significant portion will be used to improve educational programs and build infrastructure.[25]
In 2017, Konkuk University introduced the "Konkuk Institute of Technology" to train and prepare students for industries with significant growth potential. The institute includes eight departments in energy engineering, smart vehicle engineering, smart ICT engineering, cosmetics engineering, stem cell and regenerative biology, systems biotechnology, integrative bioscience and biotechnology, and biomedical science and engineering with 333 students. Konkuk University plans to offer a 5-year BS/MS program, through which all students will receive a scholarship for their graduate education as well as a stipend of 300,000 won per month for book purchases and research, at the institute. The registration fee for all incoming students will be waived.[25][26]
As an alternative to the prevalent 2-semester, 4-year undergraduate programs, Konkuk University introduced the Plus Semester System which will allow students to take initiative in designing their own curriculum. The innovative system is part of an effort to make university education more student-focused and tailored to meet changing industry demands. Konkuk students will be able to choose from a variety of options, including the 2+One-Semester On-The-Job Training program, 3+1 Employment program, 7+1 Self-Designed Semester program, and 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program. The 2+One-Semester program allows students to gain work experience during the semester and take classes to fulfill course requirements for their majors during the vacation. For the 7+1 program, students will design their plans for external activities prior to the beginning of the semester. The activities are to develop expertise in areas of interest rather than being limited to opening a new business or finding employment. Once the plans are approved, students receive up to 15 credits once they submit completion reports. The Center for Integrated Science and Technology, which will include four departments in biotechnology and another four in engineering, will offer the 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program.[27]
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Entertainment
Konkuk University has been a popular film location forKorean dramas.Twenty Again, a 2015 Korean television series starringChoi Ji-woo andLee Sang-yoon was filmed at the main campus in Seoul.[29]