Singing 100 Songs in the Original Language, Entrepreneurship, Revival of 'Closed Departments'... Innovation Begins from Regional Universities

Dongmyung University’s Next President Jeon Ho-hwan: “The First Step in University Innovation is Communication”

Horse Riding with Students, Establishment of ‘Do-ing University’, Introduction of Practical Curriculum

‘Doing’ Initiatives First i

Jeon Ho-hwan, the next president-elect of Dongmyung University (third from the right), is participating in horseback riding practice with the Dongmyung University student council members. [Image source=Dongmyung University]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Must you sing 100 foreign songs in their original language to graduate? Establishing a new department in the arts field, which is trending toward closure? What is the 'Entrepreneurship' major?

These unconventional ideas and challenges are stirring up a breeze at a local university.

The footsteps of Jeon Ho-hwan, the next president of Dongmyung University, are drawing attention. Although he is soon to be appointed, he has been thoroughly "reading" the campus extensively since his early nomination.

Those around him interpret this as an attempt by the head of a local university, struggling with a declining school-age population relative to its quota, to boldly tackle difficult issues head-on.

Jeon Ho-hwan, the next president of Dongmyung University, recently took the first step toward innovation at Dongmyung University by horseback riding with students.

Horseback riding was one of Jeon’s communication methods with students. It was his intention to personally promote the value of the ‘Do-ing University’ he emphasized even before his inauguration and to lead Dongmyung University’s development.

Jeon and six student representatives from Dongmyung University (Student Council President Lee Hyun-seok, Vice President Moon Jeong-bin, Student Assembly President Kim Kyung-tae, Vice President Park Won-gyun, General Club Union President Kim Tae-woo, and Vice President Kim Sung-jun) practiced horseback riding on March 25 at an equestrian center in Busan.

Horseback riding is scheduled to be a major subject in the Do-ing University, which Jeon plans to establish next year. Jeon personally assisted students in riding horses while explaining the importance of physical strength, emotional well-being, and empathy.

Jeon explained, “Alongside knowledge and theoretical learning, the ability to collaborate on-site through communication is also important.” The reason he started communicating with students before his inauguration was that he decided communication would be the first step toward university innovation.

Dongmyung University recently recruited Jeon to overcome the difficulties faced in the 2021 academic year admissions. Jeon said, “Communication with students is to inform them of the president’s innovation goals and encourage their participation,” adding, “I will also achieve Dongmyung University’s leap forward through active communication with professors and staff.”

Jeon plans to emphasize communication and collaboration in education as well.

The Do-ing University, to be newly established next year, focuses its curriculum on developing human abilities and nurturing practical intellectuals.

With a curriculum centered on no grade levels, no credits, and PCL (Problem Centered Learning), Do-ing University features many groundbreaking courses being tried for the first time in Korean universities.

Do-ing University consists of three majors: Entrepreneurship, Digital Performing Arts, and YouTube Creator.

The Entrepreneurship major explores the spirit and challenges of entrepreneurs who have established themselves in Korea.

The Digital Performing Arts major cultivates the ability to integrate key areas of the Korean Wave, such as K-pop, breakdancing, and acting, with digital technology.

This major is newly established in contrast to local universities that are closing arts-related departments due to difficulties in recruiting freshmen, embodying the spirit of challenge emphasized by Do-ing University.

The YouTube Creator major teaches content utilization skills that interpret the trends of the times in one’s own way.

Each major offers about 70 courses, and students must complete approximately 40 Do-ing courses to graduate.

The detailed courses offered at Do-ing University, characterized by OUT CLASS, include singing 100 songs in the original language to develop English, Japanese, and Chinese skills; reading 60 classical masterpieces and writing book reports; yacht experience; paragliding; climbing Korea’s 100 famous mountains; horseback riding; swimming and biking; orienteering; experiencing 20 foreign countries; preparing financial statements (based on six months of allowance and part-time income); practical stock investment; social dancing; and YouTubing.

Within the Do-ing University curriculum, one can glimpse Jeon’s educational philosophy.

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as uniquely human abilities are valued, university education must cultivate the competencies needed to nurture talent required by society.

Rather than accumulating knowledge, it is important to utilize knowledge and leverage networks between knowledge, and the university aims to foster talent suited to this.

Jeon expressed confidence, saying, “If we teach students to emphasize the basics while demonstrating flexibility, Dongmyung University’s education can appeal to the world.”

The students who experienced horseback riding also showed strong reactions.

Student Council President Lee Hyun-seok said, “Aside from riding a pony when I was young in Jeju Island, I had never ridden a horse before, so it was a very refreshing experience and I felt great.”

Vice President Moon Jeong-bin said, “It seems like the most memorable experience during my university life,” and hoped, “I wish the cultivation of Do-ing talent would be realized quickly so that more fellow students can gain diverse experiences.”

The ‘Jeon Ho-hwan style’ Do-ing University is scheduled to launch in the new semester of the 2022 academic year, with a recruitment quota of 90 students.

Jeon commutes to Dongmyung University daily, pouring his efforts into strategizing the development direction of Do-ing University and Dongmyung University.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.