Sungkyunkwan University

Overview

Sungkyunkwan University is a private university located in Seoul, South Korea, the oldest university in East Asia with more than 600 years of history under its belt. Also known as SKKU, the university is heavily research-oriented and its reputation as a research and development-focused institution is widely recognized not only in South Korea but also internationally. SKKU’s research and expansion efforts are geared toward its vision to become one of the top 100 universities in the world.

When it comes to academic programs, SKKU offers a variety of options, from liberal arts, economics, information and communication engineering to biotechnology, bioengineering, and more. SKKU has its own learning management system called i-Campus to support the university’s elearning program which offers access to online and offline courses, as well as blended classes. Furthermore, the university operates a professional training center for librarians called Korean Academy Librarian Education, which was established under the direction of the Ministry of Education. This training institution has the reputation of producing only the most competitive librarians who are educated and trained in the importance of technology in the development of the Korean library system.

Part of SKKU’s enduring reputation as a leading research institution is the strong partnerships it has forged with organizations, including global technology company giant Samsung. This partnership has helped SKKU establish numerous research facilities, such as the state-of-the-art Samsung Library that houses a sophisticated digital media room for students. There is also the Sungkyunkwan Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), which is financed by Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology. SAINT is one of SKKU’s core programs dedicated to learning and understanding the impact of nanotechnology in the economic growth of an advanced world. Meanwhile, the eight-story facility, N Center in the Natural Science Campus, was built in partnership with the Institute for Basic Sciences (IBS) as a dedicated research center for IBS’ Nanostructure Physics Research Group.

As the oldest academic institution established in 1398 during the Joseon Dynasty, SKKU became the cradle of South Korea’s higher education by promoting education anchored in Confucianism. For more than 600 years, SKKU has committed to nurturing scholars and leaders who strive to mold themselves into perfect leaders of society. SKKU’s modernization has not stripped the institution of its philosophical foundation. And as SKKU continues to fulfill its vision to be a global leader in research and world-class education, the university continues to hold on to its age-old culture and traditions.