Myongji University


Myongji University is a private, Christian university founded in 1948 in South Korea. It provides higher education in the fields of engineering, sciences and humanities. It has two campuses: the Social Science Campus is located in Seoul and the Natural Science Campus is in Yongin which is south of the capital. It is made up of 10 colleges, 42 departments, seven faculties and eight specialized postgraduate programs.
Myongji University has been a center for practical humanism over the past half century, and is operating various and practical globalization programs while having exchange with 150 universities in 22 different countries.

History

Myongji University set off as Seoul Primary College of Home Economics, established by Moo-gung Institution in 1948 and in 1953, established Geunhwa Women's Primary College. In 1955, its name was changed to Seoul's Primary Women's College. In 1956, it was reorganized as a coeducation school, Seoul College of Education of Liberal Arts and Science. Then, Christian founding spirit and education policy was set up. According to timely demand of reinforcement of vocational training, its name was changed again to Seoul Practical College of Liberal Arts and Science in 1962.
The school's name was changed from Moo-gung Institution to Myongji Institution based on Christian faith. After the inauguration of President Sang-geun You in 1964, its name changed to Myongji University. After being approved as a 4-year University, school planned and designed the 10 Developmental Programs including building new lecture halls, making and reorganizing departments, establishing graduate schools, etc.
Memorial Arch status raised to university on September 8, 1983 and made departments of politics and home economics, modified department quota. By active support of Myongji Institute, Yongin Campus was built and made growth such as founding of affiliated facility, Extension University dividing natural and social science campus in two different campuses.
On September 13, 1994, the Arts and Design Center was built in industry-academia cooperation of Myongji University and Nasan Group. Myongji University had a New Millennium Proclamation Ceremony to make creative epistemic community that will lead 21st century's Korea and to cope with rapidly changing university environment. It is also taking off to be a university living Christian faith, creativity, innovation, action and a university that becomes power of future society.

Symbol and mascot

The leafed tree symbolizes the founding spirit of the Myong Ji Educational Foundation to imbue the students with the Christian faith, so that they may become devoted and capable leaders who can contribute to the advancement of our culture and national prosperity and ultimately to the realization of world peace.
The white stallion is a symbol of loyalty, courage, obedience, and purity. It is also a reference to the equestrian origins of the Korean people. The school mascot is, therefore, a representation of the profound hope that Myongjians, like the white stallion, will be steeped in such virtues as loyalty, courage, obedience, and purity, as they gallop into the world for the realization of God's kingdom here on earth.

Organization

Undergraduate

The Department of Baduk studies was established in 1997, for the first time in world history, to pursue an academic study of baduk. The Department of Baduk Studies has been set up with the following aims:
The department teaches baduk theory and technique systematically, researches baduk culture in depth, and acquires wide knowledge related to the game. The graduates will make proper baduk leaders in Korea and foreign countries.
The area of the Baduk Studies is divided into the nature of baduk, technical theory, practical matches, related fields, baduk education, and professional administration, to name a few.
In 1997, Baduk Instruction Studies was established in the College of Arts and Physical Education as a course. In 1998 it was promoted as an independent Department in the College of Arts and Physical Science, The enrollment quota was increased to 30, in 1999. In 2000 the first Bachelor of Arts in Baduk Studies appeared and in 2001 the Graduate School of Baduk Studies was opened. By 2003 the first Master of Arts in Baduk Studies appeared.

Graduate school

The programs are offered in English :

Admission

Applications are invited for undergraduate and graduate programs twice a year. For fall semester starting in the end of August applications are open from October 1 to November 30. For spring semester starting in the end of February applications are open from April 1 to May 31.

Scholarships

For graduate studies, Myongji University Professors offer scholarship from research funds, TAship, RAship or support through Korean government scholarships like IITA-English IITA-Main or KRF. Other scholarships are also provided by university at graduate and undergraduate levels.

Research laboratories

Myongji University maintains a large number of research laboratories for areas such as computing, engineering, and biosciences.

Notable alumni

Linguistics