| I'm sure many of you are well aware of the conflicting problems pertaining to Private School Law, which has passed Congress, with difficulties, in year 2005. The idea behind the Private School Law that was passed is to rectify the incorrect views held by certain private school organizations that school is a form of or means of materialistic gains and to bring forth management transparency and democratic process in the overallness of school operations including personnel management and finance management. However, the reality is that certain political groups with ties with the private schools is not relenting their rein and the debating arguments continues with neither side backing off.
It has been 60 years since the country has found independence from the forced colonization by Japan. Although the nation's universities have advanced notably during those years, there are still numerous problems lingering in the background, which can clearly be seen through such conflicting debates regarding to the Private School Law. Even though the understandings of democracy has largely improved since then by both the faculty and the student bodies, the management of the university remained unchanged and the reality of our current post secondary educational society is that such conservative thinking and behaviors are continuously clashing with the reforming ideas. When I view such wrongness and problems in the academic community, I feel highly honored and proud to be a member of Sangji University. It's because the democratic and transparent school described in the new Private School Law, the school many scholars are evaluating to be the leading role model and standards, is our Sangji University. Since 10 years ago, our university has reformed from the old and conservative ways which many universities in our society are still clinging onto, to become the democratic university of the 21st Century. The democratic academic management which is participated by all members of the university, transparent school management, and the university of the people which embraces both the community and the school members, a democratic school where all participating members are the owners of the school, that is Sangji University. Our tuition policy and other important school management issues which includes student representatives during the decision making process can be seen as one of the example. When I think of all the difficulties faced by numerous faculty, staff members and students that still exists due to undemocratic school policies, my affection and pride towards our university only grows stronger day by day.
All of you who are visiting this space! As for myself, who was given the responsibility as the Dean of the University on March of 2005, I believe that this year is my first year to structuralize our University's Vision by setting forth the plans I have formed into action. Such duty makes me realize that my responsibility this year is so far the greatest in all of my 40 somewhat years in public service. What I will be outlining below is our University's Vision and at the same time, an Action Plan which I believe I, during my term, or my successor must accomplish.
Sangji University must first, establish and pursue a goal of specialization in ‘Health?Oriental Medicine?Life?Environment’. Preservation of clean and natural environment, the mecca of tourism industry, Kangwon Province, the source of new life, World Health Organization (WHO) designated City of Health, and the Health?Bio Industry's innovative and specialized city, Wonju, are the basis and the foundation of our University's goal and vision in specialization. Sangji University, which possesses infrastructure in the sectors of School of Oriental Medicine and Oriental Medicine Hospital, School of Social Science and Environment Protection area, Environment Friendly Biological Resource area, Tourism and Social Service area coincides well with the needs of the regional community and we will strive to create the cooperative model of community and university where both the community and the university grows together through continuous cooperation among the industry, school, and government agencies.
Second, we will nurture regional leaders that will lead the 21st Century which merging changes of glocalization, globalization, and localization is continuing, and will develop our school as a global
university that grows together with the regional community and a regional community that provides service to the region. Through such steps, we will not only realize our goal of specialization of our University but also become the University that breathes together with the local citizens and by meeting the expectations of the community and through servicing the community, we will become the university that fulfills its responsibility to the community. With such objectives, the University and its 6 Departments have made mutually cooperative strategic alliance with 6 villages and is conducting nation's first One School, One Community Activities. Especially with medical services by School of Oriental Medicine and Oriental Hospital, agricultural support and volunteer service by School of Biological Resource, community physical education and recreation educational service by School of Arts & Athletics, and other services from various Departments, the University will provide actual assistance to the areas of need in the community. Furthermore, from the University's 'Environment Friendly Organic Agriculture Center', which is the nation's first of its kind, we will exert our best efforts to fulfill our responsibility of nurturing specialists in the organic agriculture industry and become the leading 'Organic Farming School' in the nation.
Third, the school will adopt and implement Students First mentality throughout all University Policies. It is my belief that private university must first place highest importance on each individual students, which is the life-line of the school, and until each student leaves the school and settles into the society, the school must provide complete and thorough academic service. This cannot be
achieved by just proclaim 'students are the owners of the university'.
To actualize the student oriented policy, our University will, First adapt to the information age and globalization age and enhance the academic service structure that not only meets but leads the change. The school is implementing or placing efforts to implement double major policy, sub-major policy, and early degree program, in addition to 'Engineer Certification Program' to provide professionalism in all engineering fields. Furthermore, the University is providing various scholarships to 30% of entire students, and is focusing on our efforts to 'cultivate globalized leaders' through strategic alliance with over 20 universities throughout 8 countries and by providing exchange student program to learn not only the foreign language but also their culture at such universities.
Second, to provide the Wellbeing benefits, which is now the social trend throughout the nation, all school cafeterias are providing menu based on environment friendly organic farm products. We are exerting best efforts for our Consumer Life Association (henceforth "the Life Association"), which is participated by the University's professors?staffs?students as the association members, to provide safe and high quality food products. Especially in the vegetable area where zero agrichemicals was applied, just in year 2005 alone, the University has supported 90 Million Won in subsidy to provide organic menu in school cafeteria.
Third, from the time of enrollment, the school is implementing a 'mentorship program' where all students is assigned a one professor to build up relationship for counseling and advice not only for their school life but to continue on even after their entrance into the
society. Minimum of 2 classes a month is assigned as mandatory for their mentorship class and in addition to their primary major, the school's mentoring system is designed to consult various problems student may face during their school life. Such relationship between professor and student will build up as a mentor and the mentee and the school is providing all necessary supports for the relationship to continue not during the student's school life to help successful entry into society, and also further on throughout their life.
All of you who are visiting this space!
I can dare confidently declare to you all the following two things. The first is that from this land below Chiahk Mountain, where Sangji University is situated, I can feel the land's strong energy from which an outstanding young leaders will be nurtured. Second, the democratic tradition of Sangju University, together with the excellent faculty group will lead you to become the solid foundation of our society and leaders with humane quality in the 21st Century.
I sincerely hope that our students will obtain the true value of tolerance during their university years and I am exerting my best efforts so that our students can obtain such value during the courses in the university and also to practice the gained knowledge. 21st Century requires such value in tolerance. In interpersonal relationship, everyone is different from each other and its this difference in value that one must show respect to. Only then will the life in university will become abundant. University is a community where various different values coexists. While enhancing general values such a righteousness and freedom, human rights and peace, we must learn to accept the differences from one another. Just like symphony orchestra where each individual instruments make all different sounds come into beautiful harmony when combined, if people with different individuality come together and respects the uniqueness of one another, then the true democracy will bloom with efficiency. Only then the university life will bear more abundant fruit in various culture.
Finally, I sincerely wish that all members of our University, no, or citizens of our country will grow to become the mutually coexisting community where individuals have moral characteristics of caring other's suffering as one's own. We must especially have the qualities to care for the ones being neglected and having difficulties in life. Only then will we become personally fulfilled and righteous person. If the past century was the era of competition, discord, and antagonism, then the 21st Century is the era where reconciliation and cooperation must be developed. To achieve this, we must learn to think and view things from other's perspective. I strongly believe that only then the future of our university, and moreover, the future of our society will be much better place to live, filled with warmth and happiness. I sincerely hope that all members of our University will live a beautiful life where they will build friendship with less fortunate classmates and neighbors and share love and joy with one another.
Youths of the nation must hold bright hopes for the country to have a bright future. All of you are the future to our bright and clean life, our country's future, and the future of our Sangji University. As my last remark, I would like to leave you a moral poem called 'Youthful Day', by Sungcheon - Yoo, Dalyoung, whom I've always respected.
“Cherish it, your youth
Even as it vanishes like nameless field grass
The ever shining light of life
All depends on how time during youth is spent
Today, too, hold high hopes in your heart
And live the day of youth without regret.“
Thank you.
March 31, 2009
Jaecheon Yu
President of Sangji University
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