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New Partnership with University of Tokyo

A new student exchange agreement has been signed with the University of Tokyo (UT), Japan. President Yongmin Kim visited Japan on the 13th of December to sign the MOU with UT President Junichi Hamada to promote academic exchange and research collaboration between their universities. The agreement underlines a student exchange program to begin in the fall semester of 2012. The University of Tokyo, Japan’s most prestigious university, was founded in 1877 as the first national university. An alma mater of 15 of Japan’s Prime Ministers and 4 Nobel Prize winners, UT hosts 10 faculties, 50 departments, 15 graduate schools, and 32 research institutes and centers, all known for its excellence in education and research.

Korea, region to launch ‘Asian Erasmus’

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20111030000213 300 students including Chinese and Japanese expected to join program every year Major universities in South Korea, China and Japan will launch a joint degree program next year as part of efforts to expand academic exchanges, the Education Ministry said Sunday. The Education Ministry and the Korean Council for University Education announced 10 South Korean colleges and universities chosen to partner with Chinese and Japanese universities under the Campus Asia program. The program is an Asian version of the Erasmus Mundus, which enables students to earn joint degrees from at least three different higher education institutions in EU member countries. The 10 Korean universities include Seoul National University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, POSTECH, KAIST, Dongseo University and Pusan National University. The program is a follow-up to an agreement made by the leaders of Korea, China and Japan to increase exchanges among their universities at the end of their summit meeting on Jeju Island last May. Since then, the ministry has formed 10 consortia consisting of three partner universities, one from each country. It expects to complete the administrative process by the end of the year before accepting students from next year, according to ministry officials. SNU, Peking University and University of Tokyo have formed a consortium on the master’s degree level in the academic fields of public policy and international relations. They are working on ways to give students dual or multiple degrees if they complete a one-year course at each school. In the consortium of Dongseo University in Korea, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in China and Ritsumeikan University in Japan, students will be able to take classes at the three different schools for a semester and seize internship opportunities before graduation. A combined 300 students in Korea, China and Japan, with 100 students from each country, are expected to participate in the Campus Asia program every year. The Education Ministry and the Korean Council for University Education will provide the chosen Korean universities with 124 million won ($112,000) in student exchanges expenses and about 100 million won in program development costs per consortium from next year to 2015. Korean students participating in the Campus Asia program will get 800,000 won ($725) roundtrip flight tickets and a minimum in monthly living expenses of 800,000 to 900,000 for a one-year stay. They will have to pay tuition to their Korean schools alone. With the project development fund, schools will be able to hire teaching assistants, draw up curricula or operate language programs, according to the ministry. Eight Chinese universities participating in the program include Peking, Tsinghua, Fudan and Jilin universities. University of Tokyo, Kobe University, Ritsumeikan University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagoya University are among the 10 Japanese institutions taking part. By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldm.com)

THE World University Rankings 2011-2012

POSTECH ranked 53th in the THES World University Rankings * Link : THE World University Rankings 2011-2012

Scientists confirm effects of air pollution on marine life

* Link : http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/09/117_95313.html An international team of scientists led by a Korean professor said Friday that a rise in air-borne contaminants causes pollution levels in the ocean to go up, which eventually will affect marine life. According to Lee Ki-taek, a professor of environmental science and engineering from the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), the level of nitrate in South Korean waters has soared as much as eight-fold in less than two decades. The nitrate level in waters off the country's southern island of Jeju jumped from 2 parts per million (ppm) in the 1980s to 8 ppm in 2000, while that of waters in the East Sea rose from 1 ppm to 8 ppm. "A rise in the concentration level of nitrate may have caused a change in the types of phytoplankton that live in the seas around the Korean Peninsula," the POSTECH professor was quoted as saying by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which partly funded the research. "There needs to be additional studies, but a change in the type of phytoplankton, which makes up the lowest bracket of the marine ecosystem, will inevitably be followed by changes in the types of zooplankton, fish that are present and in the entire marine ecosystem," he said. The team, including Prof. Raymond G. Najjar of the Pennsylvania State University, also confirmed a link between an increase in air pollution levels and similar rises in the ocean by analyzing related data from South Korea's National Fisheries Research & Development Institute and Japan's state meteorological agency. "There have been studies that showed air pollution led to a rise of nitrate levels in lakes, but it is the first time to confirm a link between air pollution and a rise of nitrate levels over time in such a vast area," Lee said, according to the ministry. A paper, "Increasing abundance in the northwestern Pacific Ocean due to atmospheric nitrogen deposition," containing the result of the research will be published in the international journal, Science, early next month, with Kim Tae-wook, a doctoral student at POSTECH, as its main author. (Yonhap)

Science without borders shows future Brazilian ties

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/national/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110925000272 A new era in the relationship with Brazil began when agencies in Korea and Brazil committed their resources to a “partnership without borders.” Brazil and Korea’s first Joint Science and Technology Committee Meeting set up the fundamentals for synergistic collaboration. For Brazil Ambassador Edmundo Fujita, the joint committee meeting paved the groundwork for a new phase in the relationship, where the knowledge and innovation potential of both nations can be integrated. “Brazil and Korea are enjoying a period of high maturity in distinct areas of knowledge, with strong opportunities for convergence,” he said. The meeting addressed collaboration in research and development, academic exchanges, science and technology policy planning and cooperation in metrology. Other topics discussed included innovation projects at different levels between both countries. Two memoranda of understanding and letter of intent was signed between Brazilian and Korean agencies looking to advance science and technology policy, in support of joint calls for scientific projects and collaboration in bio and nanotechnologies. During the meeting, the “Science without Borders” program was introduced, which for the first time includes the most prestigious Korean universities and the international exchange circuit of Brazilian scientists and students. KAIST, Postech and Yonsei University signed memoranda of understanding with the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and Seoul National University is expected to sign in the coming weeks. The National Institute of International Education (NIIED) also signed an MOU with Brazil to support the training of Brazilian engineers and scientists in Korea. “The integration of these competences will result in important creative synergies for both countries,” said Fujita. The next meeting will be held in 2012 in Brazil. By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldm.com)

University, POSTECH team up on stem cells

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110908000884 From as early as 2014, anti-cancer stem cell treatment will be available through a joint firm established by Pohang University of Technology and Science and Catholic University of Korea, the schools said Monday. According to the joint venture “PoCaStem,” the treatment “GX-051” involved injecting adenovirus that prompts the anti-carcinogenic treatment gene, IL-12M, into a stem cell. The substance is reported to induce immune reactions to tumors and has been proved effective on metastatic cancers, too. GX-051 was selected as a key research item by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2009 and has passed all toxicity tests. The second state clinical test is scheduled to end by March 2014. “The product will help people with hard-to-cure diseases,” Prof. Jeon Shin-su of Catholic University said Monday as she announced the launch. (baejisook@heraldm.com)

New POSTECH president receives Morlock Award

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/lifestyle/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110830000635 Kim Yong-min, president-to-be of POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), has been honored with the 2011 William J. Morlock Award given by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, the university said Tuesday. Established in 1960 by the family of William J. Morlock, the award is given semi-annually to people who have made innovative applications of electronic techniques and concepts to solve biomedical problems. Kim was recognized with his contribution in medical imaging, where he has successfully adapted the next-generation close-imaging technique to next-generation ultrasound clinical tests, above others. He was awarded at the Society’s Annual International Conference in Boston on Tuesday, local time. Kim graduated from Seoul National University and gained his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Wisconsin. Appointed as the sixth president of POSTECH by its board, Kim will begin his term on Sept. 1, which is to end Aug. 31, 2015. (baejisook@heraldm.com)

Should Korean colleges teach in English?

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/opinion/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110713000882 With Korea part of an ever more globalized world... Balancing globalization and reality in the lecture hall Lectures conducted in English have become commonplace at Korean universities in the last few years. It has been reported that universities in Seoul conduct between 20 and 40 percent of their lectures in English. A desire to keep in step with globalization and bump up Korean universities’ place in world rankings have been cited as the rationale behind the push for more English lectures. But the move toward tuition through English has met with some resistance. Critics say the practice puts undue pressure on students with limited English abilities and that some professors are not sufficiently competent in the language themselves. Others point to what they say is the absurdity of teaching a foreign language such as Japanese in English. Early this year, the issue was brought into sharp focus at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. A string of student suicides there was blamed on reforms introduced by its president, Suh Nam-pyo. Among the reforms was a mandate for English-only lectures. Suh later backtracked and said that alternatives to English would be provided for some subjects. For the time being, though, the move toward English lectures looks set to continue. Yes : English is needed for future global leaders By Daniel Suh Before entering college, each student already has studied English for 10 years. Korea spends trillions a year on English education at private institutions, in addition to English courses at public schools. After college, students enter the job market, where English proficiency is a major requirement particularly for Korean companies with businesses and tens of thousands of Korean employees overseas engaged in exporting, importing, and investment equivalent in size to the national GDP. What would happen if Caltech or MIT set up a Korean branch and offered courses in English only, except for language-specific courses? I predict there would be cutthroat competition to study at the school. No one really denies that English proficiency is crucial in the globally competitive market where English is the international language, beyond a mere foreign language. Korean students are fairly good at listening to and reading English. Most of my POSTECH undergraduate and graduate students specifically express that they have no real difficulty in studying my economics and finance courses taught and tested entirely in English. Their outstanding test performance testifies to it. But, Korean students’ written and spoken English is “terrible,” as my Austrian graduate student described it. A majority of my Korean students choose to write and speak Korean, while my Chinese students at POSTECH write assignments, answer exam questions, and speak excellent English. Communication is a two-way street. You listen and read to understand the other party; you express yourself with written and spoken English. Without the latter effectively done, no communication is complete. A decade of English education in Korea still ill-equips our students for two-way communication, because students are trained primarily for college admissions with a focus on grammar and reading comprehension, but little on written and spoken English. Now college must fill the crack and provide a bridge, moving college freshmen aspiring to become global leaders over to the globally competitive market. English lectures of college courses for aspiring students provide invaluable training, while students learn advanced academic knowledge. Such students with a decade of English study have the best education when they learn college courses in English, write English term papers and exam answers, and make English presentations. English lectures let students kill two birds with one stone. It’s tough and painful for students and professors alike. No pain, no gain, however. It’s an intense, short-term pain at a young age, but it brings life-long gains. It also is an effective way to make up for a decade of lost opportunity of training for effective English communication and to equip our willing and capable students with an essential tool for their future global leadership and for the nation’s global competitiveness. Why leave it to translation specialists to convert Korean documents and interpret Korean speeches? Anyone who has been seriously involved in translations and interpretations understands the tremendous value of English proficiency of the original writer or speaker for effective translation and interpretation. Any serious writer or speaker understands the inefficiency of relying on translators and interpreters often unfamiliar with terminologies and the context. The most effective English communication is made by the writer or the speaker, not translators or interpreters. My teaching experience of economics and finance at POSTECH, has convinced me that a large number of college students are willing and capable enough to learn in English. Any college that professes to train global leaders should serve the interest of students and the nation with action, i.e., English lectures. My answer to the debate question is a resounding affirmation for students motivated and capable enough to become future global leaders in academia, industry and government. Daniel E. Suh is a professor of economics and finance at Pohang University of Science and Technology. ― Ed. No : The quality of lectures is too low By Moon Hee-jae Korean Universities at the moment are making great efforts to have more lectures delivered in English. Some colleges are demanding “English-lecturing capability” when employing new professors. Well, let’s think about this: Is that truly good for us? Is that making the universities “globalized?” I just can’t get rid of the thought that this fashion has some problems. First, I’m concerned about the quality of lectures in English. A plain fact is that the lecturers and the students are just not ready to have lectures in English. Yes, we learn English as the second language here, and we spend enormous time to learn it, but it doesn’t mean that Korean students are able to take lectures with that language. Nobody can be sure about whether they can, especially when we are talking about taking major lectures. But as a college student, I can be sure about this: Even in Korean-language lectures, it is hard to understand the explanations of lecturers. What I want to say is that lectures through English would limit the information delivered and understood in the class. The next problem is to do with the lecturers. As we know, ability to conduct research or to write an article is different from the ability to become a good teacher. But Korean colleges don’t really care about teaching ability of professors ― this kind of ability doesn’t carry much weight in faculty evaluations, almost none. So it’s truly hard to be a good lecturer, even delivering lectures in Korean, under these circumstances. The real problem is not here. A professor with good research ability isn’t necessarily a good teacher in their own language. In the same way, a professor with a good lecturing ability in Korean might not be a great teacher when they are lecturing in English. So if we have English lectures without any inquiry or thought, it just makes our classes less and less efficient, reducing the lecturers’ ability to teach. I read an article saying that translating agencies are helping some professors having trouble with English lectures. Some professors needed to read from a sheet of paper! It might not be a common thing, but still it’s unbelievable. What I wrote were things brought up in the debate on English lectures today. But, I think we are missing the fundamental point. Before talking about the efficiency of lectures delivered in English, we must think about the necessity of English lectures. A college exists for scholarly activities, not to teach English to students! If we need English to teach it, then we can’t help but deliver it in English, but we don’t need unnecessary work. In foreign colleges, they have English lectures in two cases: 1) if the course requires English to come across 2) If the lecturer is not able to speak the language of that country. I don’t think the Korean universities are following these rules. And also many of these courses are not required to be in English, or at least are good when they are. Korea’s colleges are just obsessed, obsessed about “globalization.” I can’t agree with the idea that the quantity of lectures delivered in English is an indicator of globalization. It would be if we set some standards on English lectures, thought about the fundamental necessity of that, and made college a place for scholarly activities again. Moon Hee-jae is a senior at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies majoring in political science. ― Ed.

Featured Article on POSTECH in Toyoukeizai

On July 2, POSTECH was featured on Toyokeizai, an leading Japanese weekly magazine. Featured Article on POSTECH in Toyoukeizai

Full employment of most precious resources

* Link : http://www.koreaherald.com/business/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20110628000753 The most valuable economic resources are human resources, and Korea needs to improve its use of its most precious assets. A survey released last week reported that the average worker in Korea retires in his or her mid-50s. This is much earlier than their Western European OECD counterparts, who usually retire at 65 or older, and for whom even early retirement is usually 60 or older. The survey results raised an issue that has puzzled me for a long time: Why do so many Korean workers retire in their mid-50s? This is true of many of my Korean friends, who had promising careers until they reached the age of 50. A general management practice in Korea hints at an answer. A manager generally feels awkward supervising older staff. Employees also tend to feel demeaned if their supervisor is younger than they are. The general pattern goes all the way up the corporate ladder. A CEO’s executive team members often are younger than the CEO. When a new CEO takes office, the former executive team is usually replaced by staff younger than the new CEO. In Korea, age matters. This is in stark contrast to practices in America, where age is not such a serious factor. The U.S. president will become 50 in two months, while his vice president will become 70 next year. The U.S. president has several cabinet members who are a decade or two older than he is. I know of a senior manager at a Dow-Jones Index company, the brand of which is an international household name, in her mid thirties. She supervises two dozens of professional male and female employees, all of whom are in their 40s or 50s. In the U.S., these are not isolated cases. In my experience, American CEOs, whose median age is reportedly 55, often have a half of their executives older than they are. In the U.S., performance matters, not age. Age discrimination is a serious legal violation together with discrimination based on race, sex, nationality, and religion. A macroeconomic policy has three main goals: a stable economy, sustainable growth, and full and efficient employment of economic resources. Korea is fully committed to a stable economy. The Bank of Korea conspicuously displays a promise on its website, “The Bank of Korea Pursues Price Stability,” with additional displays of a specific inflation target and a base interest rate. Korea has laid down strong foundations for sustainable economy with high rates of domestic saving and ever-ballooning foreign reserves. When it comes to the last but the most important policy goal, however, Korea falls short, systematically wasting its most precious resources. The contrasts between Korea and America have cultural roots. American society more or less accepts human equality and dignity regardless of age, talent, jobs, and social status. A job reflects someone’s personal preferences and talents, and is largely detached from human dignity or social status. Old Americans work for capable, young managers; young American workers fully exploit their talents with the assistance of older workers. Korean culture generally discourages older but experienced workers from working under younger superiors, and young but capable people from leading a business with older workers. It’s a double whammy. In the former case, the expertise and wisdom of experienced workers are wasted after retirement in their fifties. In the latter case, young talents are held back from realizing their full potential until older workers are gone. In this industrialized and knowledge-based age, the value of experienced workers is higher than in the less-industrialized ages when physical, muscle power was relatively more important. Physical strength deteriorates in middle age, but knowledge and expertise keep blossoming. Average Korean workers retire just before their talents and expertise reap a full harvest. What a waste! A decade of additional work extends someone’s working life, contributing tremendously to national productivity and income. An extension of retirement age will also help alleviate the shrinking population problem. By Daniel E. Suh Daniel E. Suh is a professor of economics and finance, Graduate Program for Technology and Innovation Management, Pohang University of Science and Technology. ― Ed.