School of Architecture Acquires 5-Year Architectural Accreditation
Kookmin
University's School of Architecture received the highest level of "5-year
Accreditation" from the Korea Architectural Accrediting Board (KAAB). The
architectural accrediting system is not confined to Korea but has an
international effect as it gives a mutual acknowledgement effect between eight
countries joining the Canberra Accord. These countries include the U.S., Canada,
Australia, and the UK. By acquiring this accreditation KMU School of Architect
made it clear that the school surpasses the highest standard of the country and
is an internationally recognized world-class level architectural education
institute.
Korea's architectural accrediting system, whose first due
diligence for accreditation conducted in late 2006, holds public confidence with
almost all of the approximately 70 5-year architectural school/departments in
Korea planning to participate. Compared to other education accrediting systems,
the architectural accrediting system is strongly effective as graduates from
schools without this accreditation will be limited on becoming a certified
architect with exclusive rights according to the reformed Certified Architects
Act which is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 24, 2011. Thus, acquirement of
this accreditation is important for the career of Kookmin University School of
Architect graduates who are recording the highest level of employment rate of
almost 90% each year. The school's acquirement is especially more meaningful as
it acquired the 5-year accreditation, which is the longest term among validity
terms differentiated according to the quantitative/qualitative excellence of
each program subject to accreditation.
In order to acquire the
architectural accreditation, the KMU School of Architect has tightened its
identity as a more specialized architectural education program centered on
design; the school has also exerted constant efforts to increase human resources
and facilities. The School of Architect is expected to raise its prestige based
on this accreditation acquirement.