[Interview] Jang Beomsik, Soongsil University President: "All Classes Conducted as Student-Participatory Experiential Learning... Spent 3 Years Like 3 Days"

Review Assignments Through All Class Discussions
Up to 4 Double Majors Allowed
LG Uplus Recruitment-Linked Department of Information Security
3rd Highest Competition Rate Among Employment-Condition Contract Departments

"Three years felt like three days."

President Jang Beom-sik recalled the past period during which he led the transformation, development, and growth of Soongsil University, Korea's first modern university. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 20th, President Jang calmly explained how Soongsil University became a cradle for nurturing 'convergent talents.' From the moment he sat down and began explaining the '2023 Academic Year Departmental Reform Key Tasks' booklet, his passion and affection were evident beyond enthusiasm.

Especially impressive was his explanation of the big picture of Soongsil University's core policy tasks, listing detailed figures. Without looking at a single script, President Jang spoke fluently for 20 to 30 minutes, exuding confidence about Soongsil University's future. His analysis of various issues?from university, academia, and education to economy, society, and international affairs?revealed insightful understanding of the times.

This year marks the 127th anniversary of Soongsil University's founding and the 70th anniversary since its reconstruction in Seoul. As this is a meaningful year in Soongsil's history, President Jang's pace is expected to quicken. Below is a Q&A with President Jang.

Jang Beom-sik, President of Soongsil University. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

- It has been exactly three years since your inauguration this year. How do you reflect on this period and evaluate the achievements of the past three years?

▲ In short, I have experienced 'three years like three days.' Universities take much longer than regular companies to establish even a single system?sometimes 2 to 3 years at minimum, or up to 4 years. Students currently attending universities have basically grown up enjoying all the benefits of advanced countries. They naturally do not fit into one-sided command systems or outdated school systems. Therefore, in order to create curricula suited to them, we have been innovating extensively, which means we have always been busy and short on time.

- You mentioned a major overhaul of the curriculum. What changes were made?

▲ First, we drastically revamped the liberal arts curriculum. Starting with the 2023 entrants, the revised liberal arts curriculum is applied, consisting of three sub-areas (Creativity, Dignity, Digital Technology), under which there are nine subject groups and 27 detailed subjects. The detailed subjects are divided by level so that students can choose courses that match their own proficiency.

Another feature is that all classes are conducted through 'Engaged Learning' (student participation experience-based classes). In the engaged learning method, all students review assignments through discussions and plan and submit a project of their choice at the end of the class. The grading system is also absolute evaluation for all subjects, allowing anyone who meets the set criteria to receive an A.

- With the Ministry of Education's expansion of 'undeclared majors,' many universities are increasing admissions for undeclared majors. How is Soongsil University handling this?

▲ Soongsil University has already been implementing a system similar to the Ministry of Education's undeclared major selection called the 'Multiple Major Completion System.' The purpose of guaranteeing students broad major selection rights is similar to the undeclared major system. Students whose aptitude matches their major can earn a basic 66 credits and then acquire up to an additional 6 credits through an advanced major, totaling 72 credits. If students are not satisfied with their major, they can complete up to four majors per student through double majors, minors, and micro-degrees (small majors). Preparations for this curriculum were completed last year, and it will be fully applied starting with this year's freshmen.

This year, to facilitate the smooth operation of the multiple major completion system, the curriculum for all 69 majors at Soongsil University will be reorganized. This is expected to take some more time. The system is being refined to accommodate students who choose completely different fields as their primary, double, or minor majors.

Jang Beom-sik, President of Soongsil University. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

- Soongsil University is well known as a representative Christian university. Has there been any change in the chapel system?

▲ Most Christian universities hold collective worship, but we have been seeking change through 'small group worship' for four years now. In small group worship, about eight students sit around, with a pastor as the chairperson in the center. In this setting, students do not just listen to one-sided admonitions from the pastor but practice planning their own yearly schedules and expressing their thoughts on assigned topics. In the first year of implementation three years ago, it was conducted only with 37 volunteers, but the scope has gradually expanded.

- Starting this year, freshmen in the 'Information Security Department,' linked with LG Uplus for employment, are entering. How is the applicant status and response?

▲ Many excellent students with high scores on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) applied. The fact that this is directly linked to employment, a pressing issue of the times, attracted attention from examinees and parents in this year's admissions. It is also surprising that in its first year of recruitment, it ranked third in competition rate among nationwide employment-linked contract departments.

Establishing an employment-linked department is a great honor for our university and carries a huge responsibility. We plan to nurture these students into talents who can compete anywhere in the world. Based on foundational courses such as system security, network security, and artificial intelligence security, we will develop various extracurricular programs like international hacking competitions, industry-academia projects, and expert mentoring to provide practical specialized education.

- Soongsil University is also the only university in Korea focused on separated families (Isan). What is the direction and vision of Soongsil's unification education?

▲ As a university for separated families, we have a strong interest in unification education. Until now, unification research has tended to focus on politics, administration, and diplomacy, but Soongsil University believes research related to North Korea is necessary in all academic fields and is conducting related studies. For example, the Department of Social Welfare studies differences in family culture between South and North Korea, and the Department of Finance researches North Korea's financial system under the Kim Jong-un regime. We encourage professors in each field to conduct North Korea-related research.

We are also continuously researching how to resolve South-North conflicts when unification occurs in the future. In 2014, Soongsil University was the first in Korea to develop a course called 'Korean Peninsula Unification and Peace,' and now we are developing related textbooks and YouTube videos. We are also sharing these with other universities. Not stopping there, we provide students with opportunities every semester to receive education and training at the Unification Training Center in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk. Students attend lectures and discussions there and return after visiting the Unification Observatory.

- Domestic universities face challenges such as 'declining school-age population' and 'reduced university finances.' What solutions is Soongsil University preparing?

▲ In fact, university tuition has been frozen for 15 years. Research shows that private universities have suffered financial losses exceeding 2 trillion won. Cautiously speaking, there are cases where professors' salaries are lower than those of their own graduates. Despite this, Soongsil University strives to recruit excellent professors and build good facilities.

We believe it is difficult to solve this without government support. According to the OECD, the average university education investment per capita in OECD countries is $18,105, but Korea's is only $12,225. Ultimately, universities must be free from 'financial issues' to pursue development. The development of universities is the development of the nation. Through the University Presidents' Council and the Korean Council for University Education, we continuously communicate the financial difficulties and challenges of reinvesting in educational infrastructure.

Jang Beom-sik, President of Soongsil University. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

- This year marks the 70th anniversary of Soongsil's reconstruction in Seoul. Are there any programs being planned?

▲ We are planning meaningful events that reflect on Soongsil's existence and origin. From a Christian perspective, we plan to organize Soongsil University's Christian Museum like a world-class Washington museum or exhibition. In addition, several task forces (TFs) have been formed, centered on vice presidents, to plan other programs.

From the perspective of the spirit of truth and service, we will spare no support for marginalized groups in Korean society such as people with disabilities, multicultural families, and North Korean defectors. For Korea to become a healthy society, these groups must be helped to complete university courses safely and grow into valuable members regardless of race or nationality. If our university takes the lead in caring for them, I believe universities in Seoul and nationwide will empathize with these issues. I think we need to show the dark shadows overlooked amid Korea's green and pink economic development.

Interview by Ryu Jeong-min, Head of Social Affairs Department

Compiled by Reporter Lee Seo-hee

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